Wisconsin Hockey Routs Penn State 7-3, Clinches Home Ice

Wisconsin Hockey Routs Penn State 7-3, Clinches Home Ice

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Wisconsin Badgers delivered a dominant performance Thursday evening, routing the No. 6 Penn State Nittany Lions 7-3 at Pegula Ice Arena. The victory, fueled by a four-goal outburst in the third period and goals from seven different players, clinched home ice advantage for the Badgers in the upcoming Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. Wisconsin will host Ohio State on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 p.m. CT at the Kohl Center to kick off the postseason.

The win improves Wisconsin’s record to 20-11-2 overall and 13-10 in Big Ten play, securing a fourth-place finish in the conference standings. Penn State falls to 20-11-2, with a 12-9-2 record in Big Ten competition. While Wisconsin had already secured home ice prior to Thursday’s game due to Ohio State’s overtime loss to Notre Dame, the decisive victory served as a strong statement heading into the tournament.

The Badgers’ offensive depth was on full display, with Quinn Finley, Vasily Zelenov, Grady Deering, Simon Tassy, Ryan Botterill, Adam Pietila, and Gavin Morrissey all finding the back of the net. This balanced attack proved too much for the Nittany Lions to handle, particularly in a decisive third period where Wisconsin pulled away.

The game began with a back-and-forth rhythm. Penn State drew first blood at 6:25 of the first period with a goal from Cade Christenson, but Wisconsin responded less than three minutes later when Finley scored at 9:11. The Nittany Lions regained the lead on a power play goal from Gavin McKenna at 10:56, but Zelenov tied the game at two early in the second period at 2:29. Deering then gave the Badgers their first lead of the night at 4:14, only for Penn State’s Aiden Fink to equalize at 3 with 1:06 remaining in the second frame.

Wisconsin exploded in the third period, starting with Tassy’s goal four minutes into the frame. Botterill followed at 6:24, and Pietila extended the lead to 5-3 at 13:52. Morrissey capped off the scoring with a power-play goal at 17:32, securing the 7-3 victory and reaching his 30th point of the season.

Wisconsin finished the game with a 41-31 advantage in shots on goal, converting on 1 of 5 power-play opportunities and successfully killing off 1 of 2 penalties. Weston Knox recorded a career-high three assists in the contest. This is the second time in three seasons under coach Mike Hastings that Wisconsin has reached 20 wins, marking the fourth time in 12 seasons and the 40th time in program history. The Badgers have also won six consecutive games at Penn State, dating back to February 25, 2023.

The Badgers will conclude their regular season series against Penn State on Friday, March 6, with a 6 p.m. CT puck drop. The game will be streamed on B1G+ and broadcast on 1310 WIBA, as well as on the Badgers app and the Varsity Network app.

With home ice secured, the Wisconsin Badgers now turn their attention to preparing for the Big Ten tournament. Their dominant performance against Penn State demonstrates their potential as a contender, and the team will gaze to carry this momentum into the postseason. The upcoming matchup against Ohio State will be a crucial test as they aim for a deep tournament run.

What are your thoughts on Wisconsin’s chances in the Big Ten tournament? Share your predictions in the comments below!

Photo of author

Luis Mendoza - Sport Editor

Senior Editor, Sport Luis is a respected sports journalist with several national writing awards. He covers major leagues, global tournaments, and athlete profiles, blending analysis with captivating storytelling.

Razer Viper V4 Pro: Leaks & Retail Sightings | TechPowerUp

GDPR Access Restrictions | Unavailable in EEA/EU

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.