Penn State hockey: Nittany Lions’ magical run ends in Frozen Four

Just days before Pegula Ice Arena opened its doors for the first time in 2013, Penn State hockey coach Guy Gadowsky had a simple message about the program’s future. If winning a national title wasn’t on your mind, he said, “then you aren’t coming to Penn State.”

It was an outlandish comment for a program about to play its first full year of Division I hockey. Outside observers remarked that a winning record, never mind NCAA Tournaments and Frozen Fours, was light-years away for the Nittany Lions.

But over the last 13 years, Gadowsky has filled recruiting class after recruiting class with players whose mentality matched his quote. And the payoff came quicker than anyone could have imagined.

Just 4,563 days after playing its first Division I game, Penn State hockey made its debut in the Frozen Four. In terms of legacy, the Nittany Lions’ opponent could not be more different. Boston University made its third straight Final Four appearance on Thursday night, the program’s 25th all-time.

But, in terms of style, the two teams were quite similar: a fast-paced, high-octane offense with solid goaltending. However, the Terriers would ultimately play more to their strengths, downing the Nittany Lions 3-1 to end Penn State’s historic 2025 season.

Teams feel each other out in scoreless first frame

As expected, there was a lot of open ice to be had throughout the first period. In the first few minutes, chances went both ways before BU started to tilt the ice. For the middle part of the frame, the Terriers looked like the team that had played in three straight Frozen Fours against a team appearing in its first. As he had many times this season, Arsenii Sergeev bailed out the shaky play in front of him with some big saves.

In the latter part of the period, the Nittany Lions started to regain their legs and played to their identity. They found a way to generate some offensive chances, but they were all turned aside by Sergeev’s Terrier counterpart – fellow Russian goaltender Mikhail Yegorov.

A scoreless tie at the first intermission felt like a win for the Nittany Lions, who looked outmatched for a good chunk of the opening period.

Terriers capitalize on Nittany Lion mistakes

It is said that big games are won on the margins. There was no better example of that than the start of the second period. Penn State had some good early chances until an innocent BU shot was put on Sergeev. He made the initial stop but lost the puck in his pads before it was poked through to give BU a 1-0 lead. The goal gave the Terriers the same life they had to start the first period.

Penn State would have a powerplay to try to tie the game, but failed to record a shot. Shortly after, the Terriers had a two-on-one opportunity that they didn’t miss, making it 2-0.

Things then started to go off the rails for Penn State hockey. Jimmy Dowd Jr. took a penalty, sending BU’s elite powerplay unit onto the ice.

The Penn State penalty kill was able to stem the tide, generating some shorthanded chances and drawing a penalty of its own. But again, another Nittany Lion powerplay went by the wayside. Penn State found itself trailing by multiple goals for the first time in the tournament going into the intermission.

Penn State fights, but BU seals win

After battling back from the bottom of the Big Ten standings, Penn State hockey was not going to go away without a fight. Nic DeGraves cleaned up a loose rebound to score the first-ever Frozen Four goal for the Nittany Lions, making it a 2-1 just about two minutes into the period.

However, Penn State then took an ill-advised penalty for having too many men on the ice, giving the Terriers a chance to answer. The opportunity went fruitless, ever so slightly tilting the ice in favor of the Nittany Lions.

But in the end, the Nittany Lions couldn’t find enough momentum to create an equalizer. Boston added an empty net goal to seal the 3-1 victory and advance to the national title game.

A bright future awaits Penn State hockey

Penn State hockey forward Nic DeGraves. © Chris Eutsler / Basic Blues Nation, 2025.

Despite falling short so painfully close to the national championship, 2025 will be looked upon as the most successful season in Penn State hockey history. Beyond making the Frozen Four, the Nittany Lions put together a remarkable second-half run that captivated the fanbase like never before and smashed records along the way.

Penn State hockey is well-positioned for the future. Much of the core that led this magical run is expected to return for next season. And new additions are waiting in the wings.

Highly touted recruit Andrew Kuzma, who missed this entire season after undergoing heart surgery, is expected to be ready for next season. Sean Van Olm will join from the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), the premier junior hockey league in the world, next year as well. Van Olm, the leading scorer in the league, was allowed to commit after a recent rule change allowing CHL players to play NCAA hockey.

Despite the momentary setback, the future has never been brighter in Hockey Valley. There will be ample opportunities moving forward for Penn State to be crowned at the top of the college hockey world. And, when it happens, it will be Guy Gadowsky’s crazy vision from 13 years ago and unwavering belief that led the Nittany Lions there.

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