No. 2 Michigan Hockey hosts No. 6 Penn State in crucial Big Ten series

The Michigan Wolverines, previously ranked No. 1, enter this weekend’s series against the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions with a renewed sense of urgency. A recent series split with Michigan State knocked the Wolverines down to No. 2 in the national rankings, marking the first time since November 22nd they’ve held a ranking outside the top spot.

A Pivotal Matchup

The two teams will face off at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Friday, February 13th, at 6:30 p.m. ET, and again on Saturday, February 14th, at 5 p.m. ET. Friday’s game will be available on BIG+, while Saturday’s contest will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network. Both games can also be heard on the Varsity Podcast Network.

Past Encounters

The series between Michigan and Penn State has been competitive. Earlier this season, in November at Pegula Ice Arena, Michigan secured a dominant 7-1 victory in the first game, but Penn State responded with a 4-2 win the following night. Historically, Michigan leads the all-time series 32-21-1.

Did You Know? Michigan leads the all-time series against Penn State 32-21-1.

Key Players and Recent Performance

While Michigan currently holds second place in the Big Ten standings, trailing Michigan State by one point, Penn State sits in third, six points behind the Wolverines. Penn State has two games in hand, meaning a sweep in Ann Arbor could dramatically shift the conference landscape.

Wolverine Concerns

Michigan will need to rediscover its offensive spark. Key forwards Michael Hage (12 goals, 25 assists) and Will Horcoff (20 goals, 12 assists) have struggled to maintain their scoring touch since returning from World Juniors. Horcoff, despite still leading the Big Ten in goals, has only one goal and four points in the last eight games.

Emerging Stars

However, the Wolverines have seen increased production from junior Nick Moldenhauer (10 goals, 12 assists) and transfer Jayden Perron (12 goals, 16 assists). Moldenhauer has seven goals in the last eight games, while Perron has scored half of his season total since the break.

Goaltending Boost

The return of freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic (.925 save percentage) is also a positive sign for Michigan. Despite allowing four goals in his first game back from injury, it’s believed that two of those goals were not his fault. He previously posted a .929 save percentage against Penn State.

Expert Insight: The return of a top-tier goaltender like Jack Ivankovic could significantly alleviate pressure on Michigan’s offence, allowing them to focus on re-establishing their scoring rhythm.

Penn State’s Outlook

For Penn State, the focus is on moving past off-ice issues surrounding Gavin McKenna (11 goals, 22 assists) and returning to consistent play. The Nittany Lions had a strong start to the second half of the season, winning seven of their first eight games, but recently dropped two games to Michigan State. The return of Aiden Fink (5 goals, 17 assists) adds another offensive threat, as he has averaged two points per game against Michigan in his career.

The Battle in Net

The series is expected to be a close contest, with the outcome potentially hinging on goaltending. Penn State rotates between transfer Kevin Reidler (.913 save percentage) and Josh Fleming (.938 save percentage), the latter of whom has the best save percentage in the Big Ten and second-best nationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Michigan’s current record?

Michigan’s current record is 23-5.

What is Penn State’s current record?

Penn State’s current record is 18-8.

Where can I watch the games this weekend?

Friday’s game will be on BIG+, and Saturday’s game will be on the Big Ten Network.

With both teams vying for position in the Big Ten standings, and key players looking to regain their form, what impact will this weekend’s series have on the race for the conference championship?