EAST LANSING, Mich. – No. 5 Penn State squandered a two-goal third period lead as No. 17 Michigan State scored three unanswered goals to secure the 3-2 win in overtime on Friday evening in Big Ten play inside Munn Ice Arena.
The Nittany Lions fall to 17-6-0 overall and 7-6-0-0-1-0 in Big Ten play with its first opening game loss this season. Michigan State snaps a five-game losing streak improving to 13-11-1 on the year and 7-7-1-0-0-1 in conference action.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a scoreless opening frame, the Nittany Lions secured the game's first goal during a 5-on-3 man-advantage as freshman Jarod Crespo (Eastampton, N.J.) skated into the low slot before unleashing a missile over the glove of Spartan net-minder Dylan St. Cyr for his first career goal and the 1-0 edge at 6:11 of the second period.
- Penn State extended the lead to a pair with another 5-on-3 tally early in the third period as sophomore Danny Dzhaniyev (Brooklyn, N.Y.) sent a beautiful pass to senior Ture Linden (Great Falls, Va.) at the far post and he wrapped the puck into a yawning net for the 2-0 advantage at 2:32 of the final stanza.
- The Spartans cut the deficit in half just after a powerplay of their own as Erik Middendorf lit the lamp for the 2-1 score at the 8:38 mark of the third period.
- Michigan State then evened the score as Jagger Joshua corralled his own rebound in the low slot after his initial bid was turned aside by junior Liam Souliere (Brampton, Ontario) and he deposited it over the shoulder of the Nittany Lion goaltender as he was screened in front for the 2-2 score at 13:11 of the third period.
- Cole Krygier darted around the left side and fired a shot shortside over the shoulder of Souliere for the 3-2 victory at 3:36 of the overtime period.
GOALTENDING
Souliere falls to 15-5-0 on the year after making 31 saves in the loss while St. Cyr improves to 12-11-1 following a 42-save effort.
NOTES
- Penn State held the commanding 44-34 edge in shots on goal while going a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill and 2-for-8 with the man-advantage.
- Crespo's first goal of the season marks the 17th time in 23 games that Penn State has scored first, however, the Nittany Lions falls to 14-3-0 in such contests with the loss.
- Senior Kevin Wall (Penfield, N.Y.) was held without a point snapping his career-best six-game point streak.
- The loss is the first for Penn State when leading after two periods falling to 12-1-0 in such games.
NEXT UP
The two teams will return to Munn Ice Arena tomorrow night to conclude the season series with a 7 p.m. puck drop. The game will air live on the B1G Network.
For more information on the 2022-23 season presented by the Penn State Bookstore: Official Bookstore of Penn State Athletics, visit the men's hockey page at GoPSUsports.com or call 1-800-NITTANY Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.