STATE UNIVERSITY — “Happy Valley” didn’t live up to its name for Michigan’s No. 14 hockey team.
In a physical matchup, the Wolverines (15-12-3 overall, 8-10-3 Big Ten) lost 4-2 to Penn State (13-14-3, 5-12-3). It was further divided into the Big Ten. Ten series. The Nittany Lions fought hard all night, and ultimately Michigan reverted to a season-long pattern of not finding a way to win winnable games.
Both teams performed well, with the Wolverines hoping to win it all and Penn State looking to avenge Friday’s loss. Michigan’s ambitions were instantly won when sophomore forward TJ Hughes scored the first goal about five minutes into the game. After receiving a pass at the blue line from junior forward Dylan Duke, Hughes exploded into the slot and made a backhand shot to lead the Wolverines to victory.
But two minutes later, senior defenseman Jacob Truscott was sent into the box for a cross check, and Michigan’s penalty kill unit stared down its first test of the night. On Friday, the Wolverines committed all five penalties and finished short-handed en route to a series-opening victory. But on Saturday, the Nittany Lions finally broke through.
Penn State forward Reese Laubach grabbed a rebound just 18 seconds into the Nittany Lions’ power play, increasing the score by one point. The University of Michigan’s penalty kill unit was tested two more times in the first period, but the Wolverines found their footing and completed both penalty kills, evening the score for 20 minutes.
In the second frame, the tension increased as each team fought for dominance. Michigan created a number of quality chances but couldn’t capitalize on them, giving Penn State a one-point advantage with less than three minutes left.
Down 2-1 heading into the third period, the Wolverines found themselves in a position they have struggled with all season. We had to find a way to win.
After just four minutes, Michigan took the first step toward that goal. Sophomore forward Gavin Brindley weaved between his two Nittany Lions and connected passes, while fellow sophomore forward Frank Nazar III made a run. Nazar buried the puck past Penn State’s netminder, bringing the game back to a 2-2 tie.
However, that momentum didn’t last long. The Nittany Lions fought back and regained the lead with just over 12 minutes left in the game.
Shortly after, the Wolverines had their first power play opportunity of the night. For one of the nation’s best units, it appeared to be a golden opportunity to put Michigan’s hopes of winning it all over the weekend within striking distance. However, Penn State’s penalty kill was strong, gaining confidence and energy from the crowd with every save and clearance. The Wolverines came up empty-handed, but still led by one point.
A few minutes later, two coaches’ challenges for a five-minute major penalty were successful, sending junior forward Mark Estapa and a Nittany Lions defenseman into the box. Senior forward Philippe Lapointe, who was called on to attack just after seven minutes, joined Estapa and sent Michigan back to the penalty shootout.
In the final seconds of Penn State’s power play, graduate goaltender Jake Barczewski jumped between the pipes to preserve the Wolverines’ one-point lead. Despite a lot of good performances, Michigan just couldn’t get the shots it wanted.
Then, with less than two minutes remaining, Laubach sank an empty-netter for his second goal of the night and ended the Nittany Lions’ victory.
At the end of the night, the Wolverines ended up in a familiar position, unable to find a way to win and also leaving “Happy Valley” frustrated with the conference split.
