No. 6 Penn State men's hockey lost to No. 11 Wisconsin, 5-2, in their regular-season finale. The Nittany Lions disappointing finish brings their overall record to 20-12-2 and 12-10-2 in the Big Ten Conference. Wisconsin's win improves their record to 21-11-2 overall and 14-10-0 in conference play. Penn State will host a Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal against Minnesota, marking their first such game in seven years. The matchup is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday evening at Pegula Ice Arena.

By the Numbers
  • Penn State made 25 shots on goal, while Wisconsin had 37.
  • Shea Van Olm scored on the powerplay, making him part of the two goals scored by Penn State in just 73 seconds.
  • Gavin McKenna set a new freshman points record with 48 points this season.
Yes, But

The loss highlights defensive vulnerabilities for Penn State, especially against a team like Wisconsin, who took advantage of opportunities. Despite the defeat, key individual performances, such as McKenna's record-breaking season, hint at potential for future success.

State of Play
  • Wisconsin has won seven consecutive games at Pegula Ice Arena.
  • Penn State's recent win streak in "Wear White" games has ended with this loss.
What's Next

As the Big Ten Tournament approaches, both teams will focus on refining their strategies. Penn State aims to leverage home-ice advantage against Minnesota, which will be critical for advancing in the tournament.

Bottom Line

The Nittany Lions need to regroup quickly ahead of the tournament, focusing on defense and capitalizing on scoring chances to succeed against Minnesota. It's crucial for them to build on individual successes into stronger team performances.