Penn State Hockey: Goodwin Overtime Snipe Gives Penn State Comeback 5-4 Victory Over No. 10 Michigan

Penn State overcame an early 2-0 deficit in the first period to defeat No. 10 Michigan 5-4 in overtime on Friday night.

The Nittany Lions’ win is the second Big Ten victory of the season and second straight against the Wolverines.

The Nittany Lions would fall behind early in the game following a turnover in the defensive zone during 4-on-4 action. With 14:20 left in the opening period the Wolverines started a flurry of scoring with a goal from just outside the crease.

Michigan would score again on the power-play a minute later to take a 2-0 lead with the Wolverines looking to make short work of the visiting opposition.

Penn State responded quickly though. Freshman David Goodwin crashed the net and slotted one home less than 30 seconds after the Wolverines’ second tally.

Michigan would score once again with just over four minutes to go in the opening period.

The second period featured back and forth action. The Nittany Lions made it a one score game when Casey Bailey blasted home a power play shot with only 35 seconds to play in the second period. Despite the quick start by Michigan, Penn State netminder Matthew Skoff was strong in net all night, stopping several great scoring chances.

As in many close games, special teams can be the difference between winning and losing and Penn State made one of those plays as Dylan Richard scored on a shorthanded breakaway with a nice backhanded shot to tie the game only four minutes into the third period.

With physical play on both ends of the ice, Michigan would take the lead again with 2:02 to play in regulation, and appeared to have won the game.

While not always the most talented team on the ice, Penn State has grown a reputation of working hard and playing until the final buzzer sounds. That was never more true as it was Friday night. With a blast through traffic Bailey scored his second of the night to tie the game with only four seconds remaining. That sent the contest into overtime.

Both teams would get scoring chances in the overtime period, but Goodwin would steal the puck and snipe home a 2-on-1 goal to give Penn State the overtime victory.

The win gives Penn State two Big Ten conference victories on the year and the second straight victory over No. 10 ranked Michigan. The two teams will play again on Saturday night.

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Penn State Hockey: Goodwin Overtime Snipe Gives Penn State Comeback 5-4 Victory Over No. 10 Michigan