Around the Big Ten Hockey: 1/25
The Big Ten is getting even more competitive by the minute and teams know that every point is important. Let’s recap the weekend’s matchups while looking ahead to the ones ahead.
Minnesota and Michigan battled it out with both games going to overtime. The Wolverines had a late lead in game one, but Jackson LaCombe tied it up and Matthew Knies gave the Golden Gophers the win in extra time.
It was very back and forth in game two between the two programs with it being tied in the third 4-4. This game would also need overtime and a goal by Jacob Truscott would send the Wolverines home with a split. Truscott and Adam Fantilli finished the game with two goals each.
The first place Golden Gophers go on to play Michigan State coming off their bye week, and the Wolverines have a series at home against the Penn State Nittany Lions.
Penn State played Notre Dame in a highly anticipated weekend of hockey. After struggling against the Spartans the weekend before, the Nittany Lions had a tough time trying to find the back of the net against the Fighting Irish in game one.
Goaltender Brian Bischel made 52 saves enroute to a 2-1 victory for Notre Dame in game one. Game two saw the ninth annual “Wear White” game, and this one was back and forth as well.
It wasn’t until later in the third period when Christian Sarlo broke the tie and gave the Nittany Lions a 3-2 lead. Penn State was then able to lock it down in front of an electric crowd and give PSU the victory.
Notre Dame will look to take care of business against Wisconsin this weekend.
The Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes faced off and it was all Wisconsin. A great offensive game and a 22 save shutout from Jared Moe gave a 4-0 win to the Badgers.
Game two was controlled by Ohio State. Forward Tate Singleton gave the Buckeyes the 1-0 in the second and an empty net goal by Davis Burnside helped lift Ohio State to a 2-0 win.
Ohio State now goes into the bye-week waiting for its matchup against Penn State in early February.
Looking at the Big Ten standings, Minnesota still sits at the top of the conference with 37 points. Ohio State and Penn State are tied for second with 27 points while Michigan State is not too far behind with 24.
Towards the bottom Notre Dame has 20 points, Michigan with 18, and Wisconsin with only nine.
With every point available becoming more important by the day, games will only be getting more intense as the Big Ten Tournament draws near.
Anthony Desher is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acd5698@psu.edu.
