Feb. 11, 2016
By Maria Canales, GoPSUsports.com Student Staff Writer
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. ââ'¬" The No. 16 Penn State men's hockey team (17-8-3, 7-5-0 Big Ten) will travel to East Lansing this weekend to take on the Michigan State Spartans (7-19-2, 3-9-0 Big Ten). The Nittany Lions are looking to continue their momentum from last Saturday's 5-3 win at Minnesota.
Penn State first faced off against Michigan State on Jan. 25 and 26, 2013. The series, which Penn State split with Michigan State, was part of the Nittany Lions' inaugural Division I season.
Head coach Guy Gadowsky noted how memorable the matchup between the Nittany Lions and the Spartans has been over the years and is eager to get another notch in the win column at Munn Ice Arena.
"We know what we have to do regardless of our opponent to be successful and we know what they do," said Gadowsky. "They played a little bit of a different style last year as compared to this year but I think that once we look at their game where they beat Michigan on Friday night we'll probably see some similarities. So we know what to expect but it's really a matter of playing our best game."
To date, the Nittany Lions are 2-6-2 against the Spartans and on the road, have only taken down Michigan State once. However, this season Penn State has already matched its road wins from the 2014-15 campaign, and has surpassed its win total away from home, with five.
The Nittany Lions swept the Spartans in December in Pegula Ice Arena as part of their first Big Ten matchup of the season. With two wins against Michigan State already this season, the Nittany Lions are prepared for the battle that the Spartans will give them this weekend.
"I think it was a really encouraging win [against Minnesota]," said junior forward Zach Saar of the team's performance last weekend. "It's tougher on the road in the Big Ten but we want to get that win in Munn."
Saar also noted how he has seen the freshman class step up during this second half of the season. Saar pointed out how players like freshman forward Chase Berger have settled in nicely this season and have impacted the outcome of many games in favor of the Nittany Lions.
"I think everyone is pulling their weight, everyone is stepping up to do their part and contribute in the way that they specifically can as a player," said Saar.
The freshman class has come a long way since the first game of the season back in October, and most have developed a consistent style of play that has helped their class bring success to the team.
On the offensive end, two freshmen lead the pack in goals scored this season for the Nittany Lions. Forward Andrew Sturtz leads the team with 13 and fellow forward Chase Berger is in second place with 12.
Having been able to successfully win at both Ohio State and Minnesota this season, the Nittany Lions are looking forward to keeping the pattern strong this weekend at Michigan State and work hard toward another challenging but rewarding win.
"We're not expecting anything easy," said Saar.
Penn State faces off at Michigan State Friday at 7 p.m. and again Saturday at 7 p.m.