Final home series against Wisconsin offers opportunity for Penn State men’s hockey team

Just two games remain in the regular season for the Penn State men’s hockey team and they’re the two most important games of the season at this point.

The two-game series this weekend against unranked Wisconsin, comfortably in last place in the Big Ten Conference standings, offers the last chance for 10th-ranked Penn State to find its footing before postseason play begins.

After all, the ice has been a slippery slope for the Nittany Lions in recent weeks.

Penn State has lost three in a row and has a 2-7-1 record since January. The team has been hampered by injuries and played well at times, but results have not followed.

Still, nothing gets easy at this point of the season.

While Wisconsin has struggled all season, it has won two of its last three games — including a 3-1 home victory against Minnesota, which swept Penn State last weekend.

Despite its struggles, Penn State still sits seventh in the Division I PairWise Rankings that basically determine the NCAA Tournament field. So, the team seems almost set to return to the tournament for the first time since 2018, and the regional round begins March 24 at the PPL Center in Allentown.

Before that, though, there’s this weekend’s home series and the conference tournament — opportunities to generate some momentum and possibly get some players back to health and back to contributing.

That’s what makes this weekend’s series so important. At some point, Penn State probably needs some W’s to go with the unrewarded work ethic that’s been on display in recent weeks.

The second game this weekend serves as Senior Day for Penn State, and eight members of the team will be honored.

No. 10 Penn State (19-12-1, 9-12-1 Big Ten) vs. Wisconsin (12-20, 5-17)

Series: 7 p.m. Friday, 5 p.m. Saturday (Senior Day)

Radio/TV: GoPSUsports.com

Notable: Penn State leads the series, 26-18-3, and has won five in a row against the Badgers. … Wisconsin is the only team in the conference without a tie this season. … While Penn State was swept by Minnesota last weekend Wisconsin split with Michigan State, getting the Saturday night victory led by junior Mathiew De St. Phalle, who had a three-point night with two goals and an assist. … Penn State will honor eight seniors during Senior Day activities around the second game of the series.