Penn State hockey caps off historic comeback with stunning win

Penn State hockey returned Saturday night after nearly a month off, its last game coming back on December 9th. The Nittany Lions went into the break on a sour note, a 4-1 road loss to Wisconsin. This weekend’s opponent was a much easier one than the Big Ten-leading Badgers, or so we thought. The Army Black Knights are perennial bottom dwellers, and this year has been no different. Army came into the game with a 5-13-0 record against a weak schedule. It looked like it should be a cakewalk for the Nittany Lions. And while Penn State ultimately got the win, getting there was anything but easy.

Quick start fizzles fast

Pegula Ice Arena was a bit quieter than its normal raucous self on Saturday. With no student section due to winter break and a snowstorm affecting the region, the building lacked the typical juice it has each weekend. It didn’t matter for Penn State hockey, however. Just over two minutes into the contest, Penn State was on a man advantage when freshman star forward Aiden Fink sniped over the shoulder of the Army goaltender to give the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead. It looked like the Nittany Lions were off the races, and the rout would be on at Pegula. 

Later in the period, Army matched Penn State’s tally on a power play of its own. The goal was assisted by Mac Gadowsky. The name likely sounds familiar to Nittany Lion hockey fans, as it is the son of Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky. 

Things got concerning for the Nittany Lions when two turnovers sprung odd-man rushes for Army, which led to two Black Night goals in just 19 seconds. This goal would mark the end of the night for starting sophomore goaltender Noah Grannon who made just three saves on six shots.

Penn State would get one back in the late moments of the period of a junior defense Simon Mack shot from the faceoff circle that beat the Army netminder over the glove. 

Penn State hockey went to the locker room trailing 3-2, but perhaps more stunningly, outshot by Army 13-8 during the first frame.

Panic time at Pegula

If things were concerning in the first period, they escalated into a full-blown panic not too long into the second. Just over a minute in, Army added another pair of goals just 14 seconds apart to take a 5-2 lead. 

Army was called for a slash just a few moments later and it looked like Penn State hockey would have a golden opportunity to at least pull one goal closer. Instead, Army scored a shorthanded goal to extend the lead to four. It seemed Penn State was destined for a devastating loss that would all but end its NCAA Tournament hopes. 

In the last half of the frame, the Nittany Lions got some life. The vaunted freshman line struck for the first in the year 2024 with a Reese Laubach goal that was assisted by both Matt DiMarsico and Aiden Fink. Five minutes later, junior forward Ryan Kirwan added an unassisted goal.

Penn State dominated the run of play during the period, outshooting Army 22-8 despite giving up three goals.

Comeback complete

Penn State hockey entered the period with momentum after the Kirwan goal and was able to capitalize on it quickly. Less than two minutes into the period, Ryan Kirwan tallied another goal to pull the Nittany Lions within one. Just 57 seconds later, the game would inexplicably be tied. Senior defenseman Christian Berger threw one on through traffic, and a great screen from Kirwan prevented the Army goalie from ever seeing the puck. Kirwan also picked up an assist on the goal, giving him four points for the contest, a career high. 

With all the momentum on Penn State’s side, the Nittany Lions kept pushing. During a four-on-four due to matching roughing minors, Aiden Fink sped past three Army defenders to get in alone and easily beat the Army goaltender to give the Nittany Lions their first lead since midway through the first period. It was Fink’s 11th goal of the year, tying him for the team lead with Ryan Kirwan. Fink ranks No. 8 nationally among all skaters in points, a point ahead of presumed No. 1 overall in the NHL Draft Macklin Celebrini.

Despite some tense moments late, senior goaltender Liam Souliere shut the door and sealed a 7-6 win for the Nittany Lions. The four-goal comeback was the largest in program history, fittingly coming in a season of wild comeback victories for Penn State hockey. 

Penn State resumes Big Ten play

Saturday was the final non-conference game of the year for Penn State hockey (10-7-3) as Big Ten play resumes next week. Michigan State and its No. 7 Pairwise ranking travel to Pegula Ice Arena for a massive series. The Friday game will start at 7:00 pm, while the Saturday game will begin at 4:30 pm and be televised on the Big Ten Network.

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