Around Big Ten Hockey: Feb. 7

There are only a few weeks left until the tournament begins and things are getting exciting. With things coming down to the wire, the Big Ten’s stakes are only getting higher. How did the conference shape out during its recent action?

No. 8 Minnesota Golden Gophers (16-7-5) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin Badgers (20-6-2)

A lot of hockey was played in this series with both games needing some extra time to decide the extra point. In Game 1, Oliver Moore opened the scoring to give the Gophers the advantage, but that would be the only action until early in the third period with an equalizer from Owen Lindmark.

Going into overtime, Oliver Moore would tally another assist as he hooked up Brody Lamb for the game-winner.

Game 2 was more of the same, close defensive hockey with another low-scoring result. A goal in the first from Wisconsin’s Jack Horbach followed by Jaxon Nelson tying it up, this game would also go into overtime with a 1-1 score.

Overtime wasn’t enough so the shootout would have to do. Quinn Finley gave the Badgers the advantage and they would go on and get the available extra point.

Both goaltenders played phenomenal games over the weekend with Minnesota’s Justen Close being awarded with Big Ten’s First Star of the Week after accumulating a .969 save percentage during the series. Kyle McClellan would get the second-star honor after another great weekend as well.

No. 9 Michigan State Spartans (18-7-3) vs. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (14-12-2)

The Fighting Irish had their work cut out for them in this series, but that did not stop them from making a statement in Game 1. After a goal from Michigan State’s Isaac Howard, the Irish rattled off four unanswered goals.

Some great performances from the Janickes and Cole Knuble helped lift Notre Dame to a 4-1 upset win, but an encore would be hard to pull off in Game 2.

The Spartans would bounce back with a 4-0 shutout win on the road. A combination of goals from Karsen Dorwart, Jeremy Davidson, Artyom Levshunov and Red Savage helped the green and white get back on their feet.

No. 11 Michigan Wolverines (14-9-3) vs. Ohio State Buckeyes (9-15-4)

The Wolverines took advantage of a struggling rival with a sweep. In Game 1, the Duke brothers filled up the score sheet en route to a 4-2 win. Ohio State’s Max Montes would score twice to get the game within one goal, but an empty netter would act as the dagger.

Game 2 was similar on the scoreboard. The Wolverines would take out the brooms in a 4-1 win, while Gavin Brindley and Josh Eernisse both tallied two points each.

Michigan’s Jake Barczewski took Big Ten’s Third Star of the Week after amassing a 1.50 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage. The goaltender even got an assist in Game 2.

The upcoming slate:

• Penn State vs. No. 8 Minnesota

• No. 9 Michigan State vs. No. 11 Michigan

• Notre Dame vs. No. 4 Wisconsin

Anthony Desher is a third-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email acd5698@psu.edu.