Penn State men’s hockey prepares for emotional final home series against No. 5 Minnesota

He’s a matter-of-fact guy in a no-nonsense sport, so Paul DeNaples does not guess or speculate.

As the Penn State men’s hockey team prepares to host fifth-ranked Minnesota for the last home series of the season this weekend, DeNaples preaches a rather simple approach.

“I’m here to play hockey. I don’t need to figure out the numbers and wins and losses,” the senior defenseman and team captain said. “It’s just, focus on what’s coming up, and that’s Minnesota right now. We have to take it one step at a time before playoffs begin.”

Penn State’s steps mostly have been one forward and two backward this season, though.

Coach Guy Gadowsky said his team remains “fragile,” sometimes letting a bad shift — or especially a penalty — prompt bigger problems. Penn State had last weekend off and has not won at home since Jan. 22, going 0-3-1 since that victory over Wisconsin.

Senior forward Adam Pilewicz and classmate Clayton Phillips, a defenseman who transferred to Penn State from Minnesota, will play their last games in Pegula Ice Arena this weekend. Their departures add a bit more emotion to the series and Gadowsky hopes they enjoy it.

“You can’t just take for granted the unbelievable atmosphere and support we get here,” Gadowsky said. “Every day we get to play here it is a privilege.”

Even with his comparatively limited playing time, Pilewicz’s approach and effort, on and off the ice, have earned unfailing respect from coaches and teammates.

“I think he means way more to this team inside the locker room than anyone outside the locker room realizes,” Gadowsky said. “It’s going to be emotional to see him play his last game at Pegula because he’s meant so much.”

Phillips became a team leader and timely contributor during his time with the Nittany Lions, and matchups against Minnesota always mean a little more for him.

Still, a best-case scenario for Penn State goes far beyond some feel-good moments for its departing seniors. (Other seniors, like DeNaples, have not decided if they’ll return next season.) The best case would be finding a way to deal with the adversity almost certain to arise at some point against a top-notch opponent.

“We believe we have a team that, when we put together our game, we’re really, really good,” Gadowsky said. “We have to find that balance with playing extremely hard as well as staying out of the box. That’s a key for us against Minnesota.

“They’re obviously an extremely talented team and if you give them opportunities on the power play, you’re going to pay.”

Minnesota has made the most of its recent opportunities. Even without three players (Brock Faber, Matt Knies, Ben Meyers) who are members of Team USA at the Winter Olympics, Minnesota has won four in a row. The Gophers sit second in the Big Ten Conference standings with 43 points. Penn State is sixth with 17.

Minnesota’s recent success has kept the team’s energy and enthusiasm high as the season winds down.

“There’s nothing better when the chemistry is going. I think all of us are excited,” Minnesota freshman forward Rhett Pitlick told the Big Ten Network about the series. “We just want to keep it going. All the guys are looking forward to it.”

Penn State (14-15-0, 5-14-1 Big Ten) vs. No. 5 Minnesota (19-11-0, 14-6-0)

Series: 6:30 p.m. Friday, 6 p.m. Saturday

Radio/TV: Big Ten Network, 103.1 FM and GoPSUsports.com

Notable: The teams split a two-game series earlier this season in Minneapolis. ... Minnesota leads the all-time series 18-16-1. … Penn State has a 9-6-1 advantage in games played at Pegula Ice Arena. … Minnesota senior defenseman Ben Brinkman will miss Friday’s game with a one-game suspension after a slew-footing incident against Ohio State last Saturday. … Penn State sophomore forward Chase McLane will miss the rest of the season with a lower-body injury. … Goalies Oskar Autio and Liam Souliere might each start a game in the series for Penn State.