Penn State vs. Ohio State: Hockey Series Preview

Story posted January 26, 2022 in CommRadio, Sports by Maclain Young

Last time out, Penn State captured an electrifying series sweep on the weekend of their “wear white” game and Ohio State converted its third sweep of a conference opponent this season.

The Nittany Lions seem to finally have found their stride, overcoming their four game winless streak of heartbreaking losses to top opponents.

Penn State’s offense came alive in its series against Wisconsin last weekend scoring 11 goals over the two games including three powerplay goals.

In media availability this week coach Guy Gadowsky said, “I think that power play opportunities are huge in this game at all times.”

One of those goals came on a first period five on three in game one, that felt crucial for the Nittany Lions getting off on the right foot. After being swept last series by Michigan where the Nittany Lions had two separate five minute major power plays and no goals to show for them.

Gadowsky has said how important momentum over the past couple of weeks.

On the Ohio State side of things, the Buckeyes had a solid sweep over the Michigan State Spartans.

Freshman Buckeye goaltender Jakub Dobes stood on his head, making over 70 saves in the series and allowing just three goals. His performance earned him Big Ten First Star of the Week honors.

A Nittany Lion also was included in the Big Ten Three Stars of the Week with Ryan Kirwan’s four goals earning him the second star.

Ohio State has surged into a tie for first place in the Big Ten with the stacked Michigan Wolverines. However, the Buckeyes will need positive results in Happy Valley to keep pace as Michigan is facing the struggling Wisconsin Badgers this weekend.

This weekend the Nittany Lions will need to rely on their momentum and home ice advantage to pull off an upset against the Buckeyes.

When talking about this past weekend’s series and the return of the “wear white” game, Jimmy Dowd Jr. said, “It was unreal and a lot of people say that a lot, but it was an unbelievable experience.”

Dowd said it was the first time he ever got to experience the “wear white” game.

Last time the Nittany Lions and Buckeyes squared off, Penn State got off to quick starts grabbing the opener in both games in Columbus, but eventually being blown out by scores of 5-2 and 4-1.

This is obviously a much different Penn State team since then as the young Nittany Lions have been learning how to win through tough series against the likes of Notre Dame and Michigan, before eventually finding success in their most recent series against Wisconsin.

Either way, it should be an extremely entertaining series between two conference rivals. Catch both games on CommRadio live at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.


Maclain Young is a second-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email macyoung21@gmail.com.