‘Just move forward.’ Penn State men’s hockey fights through injuries ahead of Ohio State series
At this time a year ago, the Penn State men’s hockey team had won four in a row, eight of its last 10 and was moving toward the program’s first Frozen Four appearance, an unexpected result after a dismal start to the season.
This year, the expectations were much higher, and the start was much stronger, but the current streak is a winless stretch that stands at four (three losses and a tie). The team’s last win was 27 days ago.
Another Frozen Four berth remains possible, but the path to that goal seems almost as unlikely now as it did then 12 months ago.
Of course, it remains possible, as last year’s run demonstrated — and some positive progress this weekend when Ohio State visits Pegula Ice Arena would be a start. Penn State swept OSU on the road earlier this season.
More than any opponent, though, injuries are the problem for Penn State.
Penn State enters this series without its top three centers and with five players out for the rest of the regular season. Maybe some of the injured could return for the postseason … maybe.
Junior team captain and top line center Dane Dowiak was the latest loss (and will not return) as the team dropped both of games last weekend on the road at No. 2 Michigan. So, Penn State has altered lines, moved defensemen to forward and adapted.
“That’s hockey. No one ever wants to lose their captain, or anybody,” coach Guy Gadowsky said. “What we learned is we shouldn’t be afraid of it, just move forward.”
As much as it can, the team wants to maintain its style of play. That means aggressive and fast-paced action — things that could be a challenge to an already shorthanded group that leads the conference in penalty minutes.
“You don’t ever want to play differently,” said Gadowsky, who needs one victory to reach 250 at Penn State. “A lot of our successes have come from that attitude and that mentality, and I don’t want to change it. You’ve got to go play.
“We’re still hopeful that if we’re fortunate enough to play in the postseason, we’ll get some guys back but it’s going to be tough sledding until then.”
Freshman forward Luke Misa has moved to center the team’s top line — the fifth person in that role this season — with fellow freshman Gavin McKenna and junior Aiden Fink, who also missed seven games early in the season because of his own injury.
Misa embraces his role (he was on the line earlier this season) and the opportunity to be with two of the team’s top four active points producers (McKenna 33, Fink 22).
“It’s pretty easy to play with them because they’re always finding you in open space on the ice,” Misa said. “Guys are just going to have to step up. It’s already worked for us.”
Other players, specifically forward Matt DiMarsico (34 points) and JJ Wiebusch (29), have just remained consistently productive.
No. 6 Penn State (18-9-1, 10-7-1 Big Ten) vs. Ohio State (11-16-1, 7-11)
Series: 8:30 p.m. Friday, 8 p.m. Saturday
Audio/Radio: GoPSusports.com, 103.7 FM, 104.3 FM
Streaming/TV: Big Ten Network (both days)
Notable: Ohio State leads the all-time series 28-25-5, although Penn State swept both games earlier this season in Columbus. … Ohio State split a series against No. 13 Wisconsin last weekend. … Penn State continues to lead the Big Ten in penalty minutes (584) but boasts the best penalty-kill unit in the conference, stopping opponents 85% of the time. … Ohio State has the least productive power-play unit in the conference (22.7%). … Among active Penn State players, Jared Crespo leads the team with both a plus/minus of 10 and 35 blocked shots. … Penn State sits fifth in the NCAA Percentage Index, which will determine the 16-team field for the NCAA Tournament.