Top-Ranked Michigan State Settles for Tie as Penn State Prevails in Shootout.
University Park, PA – The No. 1-ranked Michigan State Spartans battled No. 18 Penn State to a hard-fought 2-2 tie on Friday night, but the Nittany Lions claimed the extra point in the Big Ten standings with a 2-1 shootout victory.
The tightly contested matchup at Pegula Ice Arena showcased strong defensive play and impressive goaltending on both ends of the ice. Michigan State (21-6-2) entered the game riding a wave of momentum, but Penn State (16-11-1) proved to be a formidable opponent, stifling the Spartans’ offensive attack and capitalizing on key opportunities.
Game Recap
The Spartans struck first midway through the opening period when Nicholas Müller found the back of the net on a slick feed from Daniel Russell. However, the Nittany Lions responded quickly, as Connor McMenamin capitalized on a rebound to even the score at 1-1 before the first intermission.
The second period saw both teams trading chances, but it was Michigan State’s Gavin O’Connell who broke the deadlock, beating Penn State goaltender Liam Souliere with a well-placed wrist shot to give the Spartans a 2-1 advantage. The lead, however, was short-lived. Just minutes later, Penn State’s Christian Berger fired a shot from the point that deflected past Michigan State netminder Trey Augustine, knotting the game at 2-2.
Despite a fast-paced third period and overtime, neither team could break the deadlock. Augustine and Souliere made several clutch saves to keep their teams in the contest, forcing the game to be decided by a shootout.
Shootout Drama
The Spartans and Nittany Lions each converted once in the first three rounds, with Müller scoring for Michigan State and Ture Linden answering for Penn State. In the decisive fourth round, Penn State’s Tyler Paquette deked past Augustine and buried the winner, while Souliere denied Russell’s attempt, sealing the shootout win for the Nittany Lions.
What’s Next?
While Michigan State retains its No. 1 ranking, the tie and subsequent shootout loss serve as a reminder of the competitive depth in the Big Ten. The Spartans will look to bounce back when they face Penn State again on Saturday, hoping to secure a full three points.
Penn State, meanwhile, continues to build momentum as they eye a strong finish to the regular season and a potential NCAA Tournament berth.
The rematch between these two teams promises to be another thrilling showdown as the race for the Big Ten title intensifies.
