UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The chorus to Michael Jackson’s hit song “Man in the Mirror” ends like this: “Take a look at yourself and then make a change.”
Over three decades after Jackson’s song first hit the airwaves, Penn State is utilizing a similar mindset of looking in the mirror for ways it can improve ahead of its first home conference series against Michigan.
Head coach Guy Gadowsky explained the Nittany Lions are taking a longer-than-normal look in the mirror, revisiting where they could improve following a two-game sweep at the hands of Michigan State, including a shutout loss Saturday.
“We received a lot of information on things that have to be addressed,” Gadowsky said. “This week, specifically, because of Saturday, we’re going to have a couple days that are based on what happened the week before.”
Gadowsky also said the coaching staff did not address the team after the Saturday shutout. The theme of revisiting the Michigan State series for improvement has extended onto his players as well.
Senior defenseman Carter Schade drew on the 2024-25 Nittany Lions, which lost its first nine conference games, as a lesson for this year’s team.
“You don’t have to harp on it and make yourself all sad for losing two games,” Schade said. “It’ll happen to the best in the country, so I think taking what we learn and trying to do better next time.”
Sophomore goaltender Kevin Reidler said the losses were “not ideal” but knows the team can bounce back, crediting the player leadership for helping the blue and white navigate being swept for the first time this season.
“The leadership group is doing a great job of making sure that we are coming together,” he said. “Consistency is better than greatness, so [we] use that to motivate ourselves.”
Gadowsky also noticed his players not letting the losses get to them.
“They’re not pouting by any means and they’re not dejected,” he said. “We’re hungry to get back on the ice and to have fun.”
One of those lessons could be on the powerplay, where Penn State failed to convert on its nine opportunities against Michigan State.
“I do think we can play with more of a sense of urgency on the powerplay,” he said. “When we get back to that, it creates momentum for the entire team, not just that two-minute powerplay.”
Another lesson might lie in the Nittany Lions’ approach on defense, which gave up five goals to Michigan State in Saturday’s loss.
“We have to be more consistent with our structure,” Gadowsky said. “At times, we were just working, chasing pucks instead of playing smart.”
The Penn State defense will have a challenge stopping Michigan’s offense, which averages an NCAA-high 5.08 goals per game. Wolverines Sophomore forward Will Horcoff’s 11 goals are tied with Penn State’s JJ Wiebusch for the most in the nation.
For Schade, limiting the potent Wolverines offense begins with the Nittany Lions staying true to their style of hockey.
“When we get to our game first, we’re the best at it in the country,” Schade said. “When every guy does their job together, that creates [a] really good atmosphere.”
Penn State won’t know until the puck drops at 7 p.m. Friday night if its look in the mirror translates to results on its home ice. Reidler said playing all their conference games so far on the road will help the team.
“[It] give[s] us a little heads-up [on] what we’re gonna see for the rest of the year,” he said. “Coming home to Pegula Ice Arena now is gonna be awesome for the whole group and we’re all super excited.”