For the two State fans left and the like one half PSU fan who's still here. Maybe some other Big Ten fans will come in for some discussion of the bottom dwellars.
The Spartans come into Hockey Valley for a two game set against the Nittany Lions. With PSU closed yesterday practices were cancelled, meaning unless there's a morning skate the teams will be coming in slightly out of routine.
Last week saw lows for one team and highs for the other. MSU didn't actually lose last weekend, but it certainly felt like they had, blowing a 2-0 lead in the final 90 seconds Friday night (including a goal with 1 second left) before losing in a shootout, and then giving up a goal in the 3rd of a 2-1 game to also lose in a shootout Saturday afternoon. So, while the standings sheet showed 0-0-2 the Spartans lost out on four points, which would have placed them a game out of third place.
For Penn State, they played Michigan for the first time in history, and played them well. Friday's game saw Michigan jump out to a big lead, only for PSU to come back and tie. The Wolverines would continue to put up goals and finished with an easy victory. Saturday was a different tale, however. Penn State obliterated Michigan 4-0 in front of a sell-out crowd with the help of three first period goals. It was the first ever conference win for PSU and came against a top ten team. So while they have essentially locked themselves into last place for the conference tournament, they showed they have some bite to make the third seed a little nervous in the first round.
This will be the first visit to Hockey Valley/Happy Valley/State College/University Park (why are there so many names?) for Michigan State, as the previous four meetings have been at Munn. MSU leads the series 3-1-0, with PSU sneaking away with a victory last season. MSU swept the first series 3-0 and 3-2, and will most likely be looking to ride on the coattails of goalie Hildebrand once again to get them through this series with a PSU team that likes to throw up shots.
Friday's game will be at 6:30 on BTN, and like the title says, online on BTN2go.
Saturday's game is an excellent ESPNews afternoon 3:30 start, which I believe will be on ESPN3.
The Spartans come into Hockey Valley for a two game set against the Nittany Lions. With PSU closed yesterday practices were cancelled, meaning unless there's a morning skate the teams will be coming in slightly out of routine.
Last week saw lows for one team and highs for the other. MSU didn't actually lose last weekend, but it certainly felt like they had, blowing a 2-0 lead in the final 90 seconds Friday night (including a goal with 1 second left) before losing in a shootout, and then giving up a goal in the 3rd of a 2-1 game to also lose in a shootout Saturday afternoon. So, while the standings sheet showed 0-0-2 the Spartans lost out on four points, which would have placed them a game out of third place.
For Penn State, they played Michigan for the first time in history, and played them well. Friday's game saw Michigan jump out to a big lead, only for PSU to come back and tie. The Wolverines would continue to put up goals and finished with an easy victory. Saturday was a different tale, however. Penn State obliterated Michigan 4-0 in front of a sell-out crowd with the help of three first period goals. It was the first ever conference win for PSU and came against a top ten team. So while they have essentially locked themselves into last place for the conference tournament, they showed they have some bite to make the third seed a little nervous in the first round.
This will be the first visit to Hockey Valley/Happy Valley/State College/University Park (why are there so many names?) for Michigan State, as the previous four meetings have been at Munn. MSU leads the series 3-1-0, with PSU sneaking away with a victory last season. MSU swept the first series 3-0 and 3-2, and will most likely be looking to ride on the coattails of goalie Hildebrand once again to get them through this series with a PSU team that likes to throw up shots.
Friday's game will be at 6:30 on BTN, and like the title says, online on BTN2go.
Saturday's game is an excellent ESPNews afternoon 3:30 start, which I believe will be on ESPN3.
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