Michigan Defeats Penn State in Big Ten Tournament Semifinal, Advances to Championship Game

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 1 ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team defeated Penn State 5-2 in the Big Ten Tournament semifinal on Saturday evening at Yost Ice Arena, securing a spot in the conference championship game. Penn State’s season concludes with a record of 21-13-2, while Michigan improves to 28-7-1.

How the Game Unfolded

Michigan opened the scoring at 16:28 of the first period with a goal credited to Garrett Schifsky, following a scramble in front of the Penn State net. Penn State quickly responded with a goal from freshman Gavin McKenna with just 61 seconds remaining in the first period, tying the game at 1-1.

Michigan regained the lead in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Schifsky at 6:57, assisted by Nick Moldenhauer. Cole McKinney extended Michigan’s lead to 3-1 at 12:14, capitalizing on a 2-on-0 rush.

Penn State narrowed the gap early in the third period with a goal from Lev Katzin, assisted by Jackson Smith, making the score 3-2 at 6:09. Still, Michigan responded with a power-play goal from Michael Hage at 12:02, extending their lead to 4-2. TJ Hughes added an empty-net goal with 30 seconds left to seal the victory at 5-2.

Goaltending Stats

Penn State’s Josh Fleming made 34 saves in the loss, falling to 10-6-2 on the season. Michigan’s Jack Ivankovic stopped 27 of 29 shots, improving to 22-7-1.

Key Tournament and Season Facts

• Michigan was a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill, tying a Big Ten Tournament record.
• Michigan improves to 12-0 all-time as the Big Ten’s No. 2 seed.
• Penn State falls to 2-7 in Big Ten semifinal contests and 17-15 in Big Ten Tournament play overall.
• The loss snaps Penn State’s three-game postseason win streak against Michigan, bringing the series record to 4-2 in favor of the Nittany Lions.
• Gavin McKenna extended his career-long point streak to nine games, two shy of the program record. He now has 51 points on the season, second-most in a single season in program history, just two behind Aiden Fink’s record.
• Jackson Smith’s 26 points tie for sixth-most in a single season by a Penn State defenseman.

Penn State will now await an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, with the field being announced on Sunday, March 22.

Source: mgoblue.com, psucollegian.com, nittanylionswire.usatoday.com, abc27.com