Penn State picked up a pair of impressive wins over Wisconsin this weekend, gaining ground in the Big Ten standings and extending its conference winning streak to a program-best seven games.
The No. 8 Nittany Lions defeated the No. 5 Badgers 7-2 on Friday night and followed it up with a 3-1 win Saturday to secure six points, tying Michigan for the top spot in the conference.
GAME 1: PENN STATE 7, WISCONSIN 2
Wisconsin jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with a pair of power-play goals after Shea Van Olm was hit with a five-minute major, one of five penalties against Penn State in the opening frame. That score held to the first intermission, which the Badgers dominated in shots, 18-6.
It was all blue and white after that, with Dane Dowiak netting a power-play goal less than two minutes into the second period, followed by another power-play goal from Gavin McKenna. Dowiak doubled down, tapping in the puck off a rebound for his second of the night to give the Nittany Lions their first lead heading into the break.
Momentum remained with the visitors into the third period, when defenseman Jackson Smith scored on a deep snipe from just in front of the blue line. Penn State remained relentless on the attack, and McKenna found the back of the net for his second of the night.
With the Badgers rattled, Dowiak secured his first career hat trick on a shorthanded goal, assisted by Aiden Fink and Jarod Crespo. Not to be outdone, McKenna added his third of the night, also earning his first collegiate hat trick.
Wisconsin outshot the Nittany Lions 41-34, but Josh Fleming stood tall in net to keep the No. 5 Badgers off the board for the final 45 minutes of action.
Team leaders
Goals: Dane Dowiak, Gavin McKenna, 3
Assists: Aiden Fink, Mac Gadowsky, 3
Saves: Josh Fleming 39/41
GAME 2: PENN STATE 3, WISCONSIN 1
The second game produced significantly less scoring action than the first, though Wisconsin once again struck first when Christian Fitzgerald wristed a short-handed goal past Kevin Reidler in the first period.
Both teams saw several chances throughout the ensuing minutes and into the second period, but neither lit the lamp. The Badgers thought they had doubled their lead late in the second period, but it was waved off and kept it a 1-0 game heading into the final frame.
After sustained pressure, Madison native JJ Wiebusch scored the equalizer five minutes into the third period, his 13th of the season.
Both goaltenders held strong against breakaway opportunities as the shots piled up on both sides, but Reese Laubach broke through to put the Nittany Lions on top with less than seven minutes to play.
The Badgers went to an empty net, but McKenna made them pay with his fourth goal of the weekend and sixth in the last three games.
Team leaders
Goals: JJ Wiebusch, Reese Laubach, Gavin McKenna, 1
Assists: Matt DiMarsico, 2
Saves: Kevin Reidler, 40/41
Up next: Penn State welcomes No. 2 Michigan State to Happy Valley for a Friday night game at 6 p.m. in Pegula Ice Arena and a Saturday matinee at 1 p.m. in Beaver Stadium
