Penn State men’s hockey hopes to continue momentum after big wins over Wisconsin

It’s never easy for a sequel to match the original but it happens sometimes, and the Penn State hockey team hopes that’s the case this weekend.

Penn State enters its series against 12th-ranked Ohio State with an opportunity to show it has improved from a two-game series earlier this season, when it dropped both games to the Buckeyes. Against Wisconsin last weekend, Penn State played two of its best back-to-back games of the season (after struggling with the Badgers earlier) and earned its first sweep of a Big Ten Conference opponent since November 15-16, 2019.

Coach Guy Gadowsky consistently talks about lessons learned and leadership for the Nittany Lions. He said the team has ample room to improve from how it played against Ohio State in early November.

At the same time, he’s pleased with how the Nittany Lions’ approach and performance have improved in recent weeks. “We’ve had great leadership from the guys and it’s transferring over on the ice,” Gadowsky said. “They’ve done an unbelievable job.”

Penn State has improved because more players have found a way to contribute, no matter their class standing. Freshman forward Ryan Kirwan has at least one point in 12 of his last 14 games. Penn State is 12-1 when one of its freshmen scores this season, and Kirwan has been one of the most productive members of the team.

“He has been our most consistent player,” Gadowsky said “It’s easy to be consistent and average, but he’s consistent at a very high level.”

While Kirwan’s efforts can be clearly seen on the stat sheet, the contribution of others gets quantified in other ways. For example, the line of Chase McLane, Tyler Paquette and Tyler Gratton has provided a more intangible impact.

“In terms of our identity and what we need, they have been the drivers in an on-ice cultural way,” Gadowsky said.”

Still, Ohio State provides a difficult challenge. “They’re a tough, gritty team and it’s something you have to be prepared for — I think a little bit different than another team,” Gadowsky said.

Penn State (14-12-0, 5-11-0 Big Ten) vs. No. 12 Ohio State (18-7-1, 10-5-1)

Series: 7 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday

Radio/TV: 103.1 FM and GoPSUsports.com

Notable: Ohio State swept the teams’ series earlier this season in Columbus. … Both teams swept series last weekend, Ohio State vs. Michigan State and Penn State vs. Wisconsin. … Penn State is 13-3 this season when scoring first, and an identical 13-3 when leading entering the third period. … Ohio State’s Georgii Merkulov (26 points) and Penn State’s Kevin Wall (25) sit sixth and seventh, respectively, among conference scoring leaders.