UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State women’s ice hockey team opened the 2026–27 season in thrilling fashion Thursday evening at Pegula Ice Arena, taking No. 2 Ohio State to overtime. Before puck drop, the Nittany Lions raised banners celebrating their 2025–26 AHA championships, NCAA Tournament appearance and first Frozen Four berth.
Junior co-captain Grace Outwater scored Penn State’s first goal of the season, just 12 seconds into the third period to tie the game at one while junior alternate captain Abby Stonehouse assisted on the goal.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Both teams had a power-play opportunity in the first period, but neither could break through.
- Ohio State controlled the opening period, outshooting Penn State 15–1, but first-year goaltender Morgan Stickney turned away every shot to keep the Buckeyes off the board.
- Penn State found its footing in the second, cutting the shot margin to 11-8. The Buckeyes had three power-play chances to the Nittany Lions’ two, but both penalty kills held strong.
- However, Ohio State broke through at 9:16 of the middle frame as Kaia Malachino wheeled around in the slot and fired the puck into the back of the net. Jenna Raunio and Emma Tothova picked up the assists.
- Just 12 seconds into the third period, the Nittany Lions pulled even. Outwater buried the rebound from Stonehouse’s initial attempt.
- The Nittany Lions killed off two penalties and earned four power-play chances of its own, while Ohio State held a narrow 19-12 edge in shots in the final frame.
- The Nittany Lions kept pressing, with Stonehouse and Hall generating a two-on-one rush before Stonehouse had another Grade A chance, but the game remained tied through regulation.
- Just 46 seconds into overtime, Ohio State’s Joy Dunne skated into the slot and fired the winner into the bottom left corner.
GOALTENDERS
- Stickney recorded 44 saves on the night.
- Ohio State’s Genny Klein tallied 20 saves in the win.
STATS AND NOTES
- The game marks the first time Penn State played Ohio State to a one-goal margin in over a decade since a 2-1 loss to the Buckeyes on Jan. 2, 2016.
- Stickney’s 44 saves were the most by a Penn State goaltender making their collegiate debut in the past five seasons.
- Outwater scored in a season opener for the second straight year. She also scored in Penn State’s 3-0 win over No. 9 St. Lawrence on Sept. 25, 2025 to open the 2025–26 season.
- Stonehouse recorded an assist in a season opener for the second straight year. She also had an assist against No. 9 St. Lawrence in last season’s 3-0 season opener win on Sept. 25, 2025.
UP NEXT
Penn State wraps up its weekend series against the Buckeyes on Friday at 4 p.m. during the “wear white” game. Seven members of Penn State’s Class of 2026 selected in the PWHL Draft will also take part in ceremonial puck drop and a postgame autograph session.