No. 10/9 Minnesota (19-13-2 overall, 10-10-2-1 B1G) vs No. 18 Penn State (14-13-5 overall, 7-10-5-2 B1G)
Date: Friday, Feb. 23, 2018
Location: Pegula Ice Arena | University Park, Pa.
Puck Drop: 5:30 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online
Date: Saturday, Feb. 24, 2018
Location: Pegula Ice Arena | University Park, Pa.
Puck Drop: 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: Big Ten Network
Stream: BTN2Go
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Minnesota heads to Penn State this weekend to close out the regular season. Despite being well out of the running for another conference title, the Gophers need one point over the two games to earn a top-four seed and a home series in the Big Ten Tournament.
The Gophers are still in good shape in the Pairwise rankings. They’re currently 9th, and even if they lose their next four games, and could still make the NCAA Tournament. College Hockey News gives Minnesota a 99.9% chance of making the postseason.
Closing out the regular season in Happy Valley won’t be easy. Pegula Arena is always a tough environment, though the Gophers have done well, posting a 6-2-0 on the road against PSU.
Penn State is coming off a much-needed victory over Michigan State last weekend. Prior to the win, the Nittany Lions were winless in their previous eight games.
PSU’s offense is one of the most potent in the country. They’re currently fourth in the nation scoring 3.56 goals per game.
Their defense, on the other hand, leaves much to be desired. The Nittany Lions are giving up 3.16 goals per contest, ranking them 45th out of 60 D1 teams.
Junior forward Andrew Sturtz is the one to watch for Penn State. The 5-foot-8 Sturtz leads the Nittany Lions with 13 goals, 37 points, and an amazing 119 shots on net.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
If Pairwise rankings seem complicated, or you just want to know about Minnesota’s possible outcomes, Nate Wells has a great blog with all the details.
The Nittany Lions are still in the hunt for the postseason, and a sweep of the Gophers would be a big help in that chase. Dylan Jacobs of the Daily Collegian looks at the series from the eyes of a desperate Nittany Lions squad.
Since his first start midway through the season, Gopher goalie Mat Robson has been nothing short of stellar. This year, he’s gone 7-2-1 while posting a .945 save percentage. Andy Greder of the Pioneer Press profiled Minnesota’s new starter in net.
QUOTES
Don Lucia
On PSU:
“They’re going to shoot from everywhere, our goaltenders are aware of that. They have to be ready for the bad-angle shots. Our D have to clean out the net front and it’s going to be real important that they take care of that blue paint.”