Penn State men’s hockey focused on improving slow starts ahead of home series against Michigan

It could be a history-making weekend for the Penn State men’s hockey team, and not the good kind.

After starting conference play 0-4, Penn State welcomes fifth-ranked Michigan to Pegula Ice Arena for a two-game series. Another loss or two for the slow-starting Nittany Lions would be initially familiar but ultimately historic.

Penn State recorded just one conference victory in its first six Big Ten Conference games last season. The team also started 1-5 in both 2021-22 and 2020-21.

Penn State has not started 0-6 in conference play since the program’s inaugural campaign in the conference, 2013-14. The team finished 3-16-1 in conference play that season.

Slow starts have been the story of the season so far. Opponents have outscored Penn State 10-6 in the first period and 5-2 in conference games.

Seemingly low-energy, sluggish or unorganized efforts have been more problematic than can be captured on the scoreboard. The 5-2 first period scoring advantage for opponents includes Wisconsin’s 4-0 effort in Penn State’s most recent home game, which skews the numbers.

It’s really not the measurables or the scoreboard as much as the intangibles.

Coaches and players have been frustrated by the listless early efforts. They’ve talked about it, and they’ve focused on ways to address the issue.

Coach Guy Gadowsky said it’s something the players need to address. He consistently entrusts players with those kinds of game-day and on-ice responsibilities.

Changing things against Michigan might not be the easiest of assignments.

Last weekend against Wisconsin was a seemingly easier opportunity, with both teams at the bottom of the conference standings. Instead, the visiting Badgers swept the Nittany Lions, getting a 5-4 overtime victory one night and using that 4-0 start to win 6-3 the second night.

Michigan had last weekend off after sweeping a series against Notre Dame to open its conference schedule.

Still, playing at home prompts optimism for Penn State. It’s in the midst of a six-game homestand and has played fewer games than any other team in the conference. So, maybe consistency will come with more opportunity — and the Nittany Lions get that this weekend against Michigan.

They just hope to not make history in the process.

Penn State (4-5, 0-4 Big Ten) vs. No. 5 Michigan (7-2-1, 2-0)

Series: 7 p.m. Friday, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

Audio/Radio: GoPSUsports.com, 103.7 FM

Streaming/TV: B1G+

Notable: Michigan leads the all-time series, 28-17-1, although it’s even, 10-10-1, at Pegula Ice Arena. … Penn State boasts the best penalty-kill percentage in the conference to this point, stopping opponents 92.5% of the time. … Penn State and Michigan have two of the three weakest power-play units in the conference, converting on 17.9% and 14.7% of their opportunities, respectively. … Penn State closes its six-game homestand with games Nov. 26 and 27 against Colgate.