EAST LANSING – Michigan State hockey, the No. 1 team in the country returns to play this weekend for a marquee series against No. 3 Penn State, a matchup that has major implications on first place in the Big Ten and the top spot nationally.
The Spartans enter this series well rested off a bye week, while Penn State moved up in the polls after an impressive road sweep against No. 19 Ohio State.
Penn State comes into the weekend with one of the top scoring offenses in the country, averaging 4.10 goals per game through 10 contests so far. Led by sophomore forwards JJ Wiebusch and Charlie Cerrato, who have emerged as one of the most dominant scoring duos in college hockey. It may come as a surprise that Penn State’s second line is performing far better than its top line, but it has been a key part of its success so far this season. Wiebusch leads the nation in goals with 11 and is averaging an impressive 1.10 goals per game early this season. His partner in crime, Charlie Cerrato, leads the nation in assists with 14, and plays a key role in creating scoring opportunities for anyone on the ice with him. This duo has been very efficient together and has helped Penn State get off to its hot start.
Nittany Lions freshman forward Gavin McKenna, the consensus top prospect in the 2026 NHL draft, shocked the hockey world by leaving CHL for collegiate hockey this past July. McKenna narrowed his choices down to Penn State and Michigan State and ultimately decided to become a Nittany Lion as he felt that that was the best place for his development. McKenna won the HCA’s Rookie of the Month, recording three goals and 10 assists in 10 games in October.
Defensively, Penn State has had some struggles. The Nittany Lions allow 2.60 goals per game, which is good enough for 22nd in college hockey. While Penn State’s defense is still better than most, there have been some inconsistencies shown throughout their first 10 games, and their defensive capabilities fall short of their offensive firepower.
The Nittany Lions have started two goaltenders this year amidst their troubles in net, with freshman Joshua Fleming taking over sophomore Kevin Reidler’s role after Reidler had allowed 18 goals in just six games played. Fleming has been solid for Penn State in his four starts this season, earning a 4-0 record with a shutout and an impressive .939 save percentage. Still, Penn State’s defensive struggles could prove to be a problem against the best team in the nation.
Penn State will be without sophomore forward Aiden Fink this weekend due to injury. Fink was a Hobey Baker finalist last season and was named one of the “First Five” players named to the United States Collegiate Select hockey team that will face Team Canada to open play in the Spengler Cup in Switzerland on Dec. 26. His absence will force a larger responsibility to Wiebusch and Cerrato.
Michigan State has a more balanced team, ranking 10th nationally in scoring offense and ninth in scoring defense. The Spartans’ 3.83 goals per game and 1.83 goals allowed per game have played a key role in their impressive start to the season, proving that Michigan State has been dominant on both sides of the rink.
Offensively, freshman forward Porter Martone leads the team with nine points in six games, and Tommi Männistö leads in goals with five through the same stretch.
In goal, junior Trey Augustine has handled the majority of the starting workload for Michigan State, posting a 4-1-0 record with a .923 save percentage and a 1.78 goals-against average.
This weekend will continue a highly competitive series between these two programs. The two teams have faced each other 50 times, with Penn State having the slight edge, 22-20-8. The most recent matchup took place on Feb. 22 of this year, where Penn State won a thriller 3-2. Michigan State has the edge in the last 10 matchups, however, with a record of 5-1-4 during that span.
Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday. Coverage for the Friday game will be brought to you by Impact 89FM, and you can tune in via radio or the Impact website.
