Around the Big Ten (Hockey): Feb. 21
One week to go in the Big Ten season, and we’re starting to see the standings shape out a little bit better, but we are not out of the clear just yet as the standings are still close. What happened last week, and what can we expect during the final week of regular season play?
Minnesota matched up with Penn State and game one was lopsided in favor of the Golden Gophers. A 7-2 victory saw Logan Cooley tally five points all in one period, making him the first Big Ten player to register that many points in a game.
Game two was a nail-biter. Ture Linden opened the scoring nearly a half minute into the game to give the Nittany Lions the early advantage. The Golden Gophers would eventually tie it up later on, and with the game tied 1-1 late in the third, Danny Dzaniyev took the roof off Pegula Ice Arena as he put Penn State up one.
But with the goalie pulled, Matthew Knies quieted the crowd with less than a minute to go, forcing the game to overtime. It was during the extra frame that Logan Cooley showed off his edge work, finding Knies who ended the game 3-2 and finished the sweep.
Penn State will look to put the series in the rearview mirror and prepare to welcome Wisconsin, while Minnesota gets ready for Ohio State.
The Michigan and Ohio State rivalry was renewed once again as the two teams battled all weekend long. Game one was a tug-of-war with both teams scoring back and forth. Adam Fantilli found his normal spot on the scoresheet, and Ohio State’s Tate Singleton netted two goals to tie it.
Captain Jake Wise beat Erik Portillo in the shootout and Ohio State would take the extra point.
Game two saw the action move to FirstEnergy Stadium in a highly anticipated game. Ohio State led for most of the game, but the Wolverines started to creep in. It wouldn’t be enough for the Wolverines as talented freshman Stephen Halliday put the nail in the coffin for the 4-2 win.
Wise would finish the night with three points.
Michigan will aim to get back on its feet against Notre Dame.
Michigan State traveled to Wisconsin and took care of business in game one. A 6-2 victory had Spartan fans cheerful, but the Badgers responded well and played spoilers yet again. After losing 6-2, they would go on to win 6-2 the very next night. Charlie Stramel and Cruz Lucius would end the game with two points each.
Michigan State enters the bye week in preparation for the Big Ten Hockey Tournament.
Looking at the standings, we see some separation between the teams, unlike in previous weeks.
With Michigan losing, Minnesota has been crowned Big Ten Regular Season Champions. With Ohio State’s sweep, the Buckeyes have tied the Wolverines for second place with 36 points.
Michigan State ended the season with 34 points and will have to wait until after the weekend to see where they end up, while Notre Dame and Penn State both have 31 points.
Wisconsin can’t move any higher than last place, but can still play the role of spoilers.
The finish line is only a few days away, and the intensity is off the charts.
Anthony Desher is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acd5698@psu.edu.
