Around the Big Ten (Hockey): Feb. 1
With the season almost in the books, points come at a premium. Another high stakes weekend welcomes another. How’s the Big Ten looking this week?
Penn State traveled to Ann Arbor to face off against the Michigan Wolverines, but the result they were hoping for wasn’t quite there. Nittany Lion goaltender Liam Souliere had to be pulled and Penn State dropped the game with a 7-3 loss.
Game two started differently with Penn State jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the very early portion of the first period. The Nittany Lions ttacked on another for a 3-0 lead, but Michigan’s Luke Hughes decided to have the game of his life.
Hughes netted four goals in the game and Adam Fantilli finished the series with seven points as the Wolverines came all the way back to hand Penn State a heartbreaking 5-4 loss for the series sweep.
The Nittany Lions hope to get back on their feet on the road against Ohio State as the Wolverines welcome the Wisconsin Badgers this weekend.
Ohio State enjoyed its bye week but now will have to battle it out for second place in the Big Ten against Penn State.
Notre Dame enjoyed its weekend too with a sweep over Wisconsin. A 5-3 win in game one and a 3-1 win in game two has them in the race for a top spot in the Big Ten, just one point behind Penn State and Ohio State.
The Fighting Irish will be met by the Michigan State Spartans who look to get back on their feet after a rough weekend.
The Spartans were dominated by the Minnesota Golden Gophers in both games. Minnesota won game one 8-0 with each goal being scored by a different player. The Spartans scored first in game two, but the Golden Gophers took control the rest of the way. Another solid 6-3 win sends Minnesota into a bye week with a sweep.
Notable players include Jimmy Snuggerud who finished the weekend with six points and Logan Cooley who finished with five.
Looking at the standings, Minnesota still sits happily in first with 43 points. As previously mentioned, Ohio State and Penn State will duke it out for second with both teams holding 27 points.
Notre Dame is not far behind with 26 points and both Michigan teams have 24. At the bottom you’ll find Wisconsin with just nine points.
Minnesota moves up to No. 1 in the USCHO poll as Michigan improves to No. 6 and Ohio State improves to No. 7. After the sweep, Penn State falls from No. 6 to No. 9.
Further down, Michigan State falls to No. 17 and Notre Dame is ranked once again at No. 20.
Anthony Desher is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acd5698@psu.edu.
