Penn Sate’s eight game unbeaten streak finally came to a close on Friday night as Michigan State knocked off the Nittany Lions 3-0 in East Lansing.
The game marked Penn State’s first regulation loss in the 2015 calendar year with the Nittany Lions falling most recently in overtime 5-4 to Ohio State in early January.
After tying and beating the Spartans at home only a few weeks prior, Penn State looked to start off the road series on the right skate, but failed to find the back of the net in a back-and-forth opening period. Michigan State’s conference best defense lived up to the hype, holding Penn State’s shot-happy defense at bay for most of the frame.
Penn State netminder PJ Musico was in goal once against for the Nittany Lions and made a few early saves to keep the game scoreless in the opening 20 minutes. Musico made 14 saves in the period in a rare period where the Nittany Lions were outshot. In fact it tied the most shots allowed in a period this season.
Michigan State’s pressure paid off finally with 9:53 to go in the second period as Mackenzie MacEachern won a battle in front of the net for a loose rebound and deposited just behind Musico.
The Spartans added another just three minutes later after Penn State turnover opened the door for a 2-on-1 opportunity that was easily worked past Musico for the second time Friday night. The deficit marked the fifth time since January 9th that Penn State had trailed by two or more goals despite having gone unbeaten in eight straight games.
There was no comeback magic in East Lansing on Friday though as the Spartans made it 3-0 with 15:44 to go in the game. Penn State had several chances to close the gap prior to the third and deciding goal but couldn’t get the puck past Spartan goalie Jake Hildebrand showed why he is one of the best in college hockey. Penn State got seven shots on goal in the opening four minutes of the final period but failed to crack Hildebrand. Musico made 31 saves on the night despite Penn State not giving up a shot on goal in the final eight minutes of play.
Penn State and Michigan State will face off again on Saturday night for another key game in the Big Ten regular season title race. The game will air on the Big Ten Network at 6:00PM.
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