No. 2 Michigan hockey sweeps No. 19 Penn State at State College

Thursday night, the second-ranked Michigan hockey team (10-2 overall, 5-1 Big Ten) faced off against No. 19 Penn State (6-5, 0-4 Big Ten) in the first game of a two-game series. This match-up is the first of two series being played by the two programs this season, the second of which will be another two-game series and will take place in Ann Arbor in January.

From the first puck drop, it was clear that Michigan hockey was the dominant team. The Wolverines came out with a purpose, managing to take a 1-0 lead into the period break after fifth-year senior forward Luke Morgan netted a goal late in the first.

Michigan hockey came out even stronger in the second period, striking with lightning-quick speed only 35-seconds into the new period. This two-goal lead came on the power play behind sophomore forward Matty Beniers.

Though Penn State scored with little time left in the second period to make it a 2-1 game, Michigan swiftly responded with less than two minutes to play in the period. This third goal would come from junior forward Johnny Beecher, as he would net his first goal of the game and push the Michigan lead back to two goals.

As the third period began, Michigan still refused to lay off the breaks. Eight minutes into the final period, senior forward Garrett Van Wyhe would push the Wolverine lead to 4-1. Shortly after, Matty Beniers would score his second goal of the game, finishing off the Nittany Lions as Michigan took game one at State College by a score of 5-1. This second goal by Matty Beniers would also mark his third straight two-goal game.

Michigan hockey takes series at State College with convincing game two win

There’s an old saying in sports that says “it’s tough to beat the same team twice”. Apparently, that saying does not apply to Penn State, as the Wolverines once again beat the Nittany Lions by four goals to complete the weekend sweep.

As period one came to a close, Michigan held another 1-0 lead over Penn State. After tying the game up at 1-1 early in the second, the Wolverines knew they had to respond swiftly and did.

Less than three minutes into the new period, freshman defender Luke Hughes would net Michigan’s second goal of the game and break the tie. The Wolverines would then proceed to score two more goals before the period ended. After two, Michigan’s lead had grown seemingly insurmountable with the scoreboard showing Michigan 4, Penn State 1.

The third period period saw the Nittany Lions nightmare continue as Michigan hockey would extend its lead to four goals after sophomore defender Owen Power would fire in another goal for the Wolverines.

Following Owen Power’s goal, Penn State would, at last, find the back of the net again making it a 5-2 game. Almost immediately after, Michigan would add to it’s lead for the final time in this 6-2 blow out of the Nittany Lions.

One of the best performers over the course of these two games was Sophomore goaltender Erik Portillo, turning aside all but three shots in an action-packed series. Portillo made some spectacular saves and showed why he will soon be an NHL-caliber goalie.