No. 3 Women’s Ice Hockey Advances to Program’s First Frozen FourNo. 3 Women’s Ice Hockey Advances to Program’s First Frozen Four

No. 3 Women’s Ice Hockey Advances to Program’s First Frozen Four

The Nittany Lions blanked No. 6 UConn, 3-0, in the Regional Final at Pegula Ice Arena

Box Score

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — No. 3 Penn State women’s ice hockey advanced to the program’s first Frozen Four with a 3-0 victory against No. 6 UConn in the NC Women’s Ice Hockey Championship Regional Final on Saturday afternoon at Pegula Ice Arena.  

Freshman Matilde Fantin began the scoring for the Nittany Lions with a goal early in the first period. Penn State scored two more goals in the third period, one from senior Tessa Janecke and the other by sophomore Abby Stonehouse to secure the 3-0 win. Senior goaltender Katie DeSa recorded her nation’s-best 12th shutout to propel Penn State to the Frozen Four. 

The Nittany Lions are hosting the 2026 Frozen Four at Pegula Ice Arena from March 20-22. PSU secured a berth in the event for the first time in program history, with it also being the program’s first time hosting a regional at the NC Women’s Ice Hockey Championship. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

  • Within two minutes of the first period, a long shot set up by Nicole Hall found Fantin’s stick just outside the crease to score the first goal of the game for the Nittany Lions.  
  • In the last period, Janecke scored an unassisted goal on a handoff from the Huskie’s goaltender. The errant pass allowed Penn State to take a 2-0 lead. 
  • During the last minute of play in the third period, Abby Stonehouse scored on an empty net to secure a 3-0 victory over the Huskies.  

GOALTENDERS 

  • Penn State senior goaltender Katie DeSa recorded 36 saves in her 12th shutout of the season. She tied her own single-season wins record with 27 heading into the Frozen Four. 
  • UConn’s Tia Chan made 39 saves in the loss.  

STATS AND NOTES 

  • Penn State’s win in the Regional Final will bring the Nittany Lions to their first Frozen Four appearance in program history.  
  • PSU added to its winningest season in program history, with its 33rd win on the season. 
  • 1,615 fans watched the Nittany Lions’ victory over UConn. That mark is the fifth-largest attendance in program history, the fourth-best at Pegula Ice Arena. The Blue & White set a program attendance record with 1,838 fans on January 30 at Beaver Stadium. 
  • Penn State recorded its 16th shutout of the season with 3-0 win, which leads the country. DeSa recorded her 12th shutout of the season, which is the best mark in the nation. She matched her single-season wins record with 27. 
  • Janecke scored her 24th goal of the season, bringing her point total up to 46 to lead the Nittany Lions. She is now just one point away from 200 for her career. 
  • Fantin scored the 10th goal of her rookie season. She now has 23 points to her name. 
  • Stonehouse recorded her 13th goal of the season, giving her 23 points on the year. 
  • The Nittany Lions outshot the Huskies by a 42-36 margin.

UP NEXT 

The No. 3 Nittany Lions will host the Frozen Four at Pegula Ice Arena from March 20-22. Penn State will play No. 2 Wisconsin at 4 p.m. or 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20. The National Championship will be at 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 22.