Penn State Hockey: Season Recap, Stretch Run Preview

Second Half Preview

It has often been said that the Big Ten has no bottom when it comes to hockey, and that is certainly the case this year. Every team in the conference, with the exception of Wisconsin, would make the tournament if the season ended today.

That is to say, every weekend is going to be a tough one for Penn State as we head into the final stretch of the year. It all starts this weekend when they head to Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, where the program has just 1 win since 2014, to take on the Wolverines.

As usual, it is hard to see Penn State leaving there with a win. The next week sees the Lions head to Columbus to take on Ohio State. Penn State has had their fair share of success in Columbus over the years, so the team will really need to pick up a road win, or two, here.

Another bye week is followed by a massive home series with Minnesota. Currently #1 in the pairwise, the Minnesota series will more than likely offer two great chances to boost Penn State’s postseason resume. The last weekend of the season will be 2/24 and 2/25 when last-place Wisconsin comes to Pegula.

These are two games Penn State needs to win to avoid a catastrophic last minute slide in the Pairwise. Given Penn State’s stellar season to date, playing .500 hockey and a series win in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament would likely be enough to send the team to Allentown for their first postseason appearance since 2018.

This team has shown they are capable of playing better than .500 hockey against tough competition, and there is no reason to believe that will stop now. We should be seeing this team in Allentown in March. 

For those looking to catch the Nittany Lions in action, the team will be on national TV three times the rest of the season. Those games are:

1/28 @ Michigan (Big Ten Network)

2/3 @ Ohio State (Big Ten Network)

2/17 vs. Minnesota (Big Ten Network)

Additionally, every game will be available with a B1G+ subscription.