Penn State men’s hockey returns to action vs. RIT after lengthy winter break

Talk about a homecoming game. It’s been more than 40 days since the Penn State men’s hockey team played a game and about 50 since it last played at home in Pegula Ice Arena.

Both those streaks end this weekend with a home-and-home series against RIT.

The first game happens Saturday in Rochester, New York, and the series concludes Sunday evening in Hockey Valley.

Coach Guy Gadowsky and several Penn State players will be returning home to the United States for the games. The Penn State contingent was an integral part of the success of the U.S. Collegiate Selects team at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland. Gadowsky coached the first group of college players to compete in the historic annual tournament — and the group reached the championship.

Penn State’s contingent included Aiden Fink, who returned to the ice for the first time since sustaining a broken thumb in late October. He had a goal and an assist in the championship game and finished the team’s four games with four goals and two assists. Teammate Matt DiMarsico had two goals and an assist, and Cerrato had a goal and an assist.

Additionally, JJ Wiebusch was typically energetic, with ample attitude on offense, while defenseman Mac Gadowsky was steady on the backend as the youthful team earned respect along with victories at the event.

Another heralded Penn State player might not make this weekend’s series. Forward Gavin McKenna remains active (and productive, he had a hat trick vs. Denmark) with Team Canada at the World Junior Championships in Minnesota.

No. 8-ranked Penn State has not played together since its last conference game, a 2-1 victory at Minnesota on Nov. 22.

RIT lost its most recent game, dropping a 3-2 decision at Clarkson.

No. 8 Penn State (11-5) vs. RIT (10-8)

Series: 7 p.m. Saturday, 5 p.m. Sunday

Audio/Radio: 93.7 FM, GoPSUsports.com

Streaming/TV: B1G+ (Sunday)

Notable: Penn State leads the all-time series against RIT, 3-0-1. The teams last played Dec. 31, 2022, at Pegula Ice Arena. … With Penn State students on break, tickets to the game Sunday are more readily available than usual, and more of a bargain than they’ll be when conference play resumes.