In a thrilling display of resilience and determination, the No. 5 ranked Penn State Nittany Lions hockey team overcame a significant deficit to secure a 5-4 overtime victory against Ohio State on Saturday night. The win not only capped a regular-season series sweep over the Buckeyes but also provided Penn State with crucial two points in the conference standings, helping them create some breathing room ahead of Wisconsin. Remarkably, Penn State accomplished this feat while playing with a depleted roster of just 17 healthy skaters, underscoring their grit and depth as they push toward the postseason.
The game began with Ohio State striking first. Early in the opening period, Buckeyes forward Sam Deckhut capitalized on a puck that bounced off the boards, catching Penn State’s goaltender Kevin Reidler off guard. Deckhut’s finish gave Ohio State a 1-0 lead and set the tone for a physical, fast-paced contest. Penn State quickly responded with a power play opportunity after Ohio State’s Chris Able was called for interference, but despite generating six shots and multiple high-danger scoring chances against Ohio State’s netminder Kristoffer Eberly, the Nittany Lions couldn’t find the back of the net.
The game’s intensity ramped up when Ohio State’s Davis Burnside received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for a cross-check to the neck of Penn State’s Nic Chin-DeGraves near the boards. While Penn State’s power play appeared disorganized during the extended opportunity, the Buckeyes still managed to create a few dangerous chances while shorthanded. In the waning moments of the penalty, a well-executed passing sequence involving Luke Misa and Reese Laubach set up Shea Van Olm, who calmly buried his third goal of the weekend to tie the game at 1-1. That goal injected momentum into Penn State’s play and carried the game into the first intermission all even.
The second period began with a hooking penalty by Penn State’s Gavin McKenna, giving Ohio State a man advantage. The Buckeyes wasted no time, as Felix Caron scored on the power play to restore Ohio State’s lead at 2-1. Ohio State then extended their advantage with a goal from Broten Sabo, capitalizing on a disorganized Penn State defense. A key faceoff win led to Sabo’s one-timer that slipped past Reidler, increasing Ohio State’s lead to 3-1.
Despite the deficit, Penn State showed signs of life. Luke Misa drew a tripping penalty midway through the period, but Ohio State’s Max Montes responded shorthanded with a goal of his own, pushing the Buckeyes’ lead to an imposing 4-1. The Nittany Lions, however, refused to back down. JJ Wiebusch, fueled by Lev Katzin’s determined puck possession through traffic, scored a slick wrist shot to cut Ohio State’s lead to two goals. That goal energized Penn State’s fans and team alike, and the top two lines continued to apply sustained pressure in the offensive zone. The period ended with Ohio State holding a 4-2 advantage.
In the third period, Penn State’s relentless pressure paid dividends. An early penalty drawn by Lev Katzin granted the Lions a power play, and JJ Wiebusch brilliantly converted his second goal of the night off a precise cross-ice feed from Gavin McKenna, narrowing the score to 4-3. Just moments later, Matt DiMarsico made a strong offensive zone entry, deftly removing two Ohio State defenders from the puck and creating a clear lane for Jarod Crespo to tie the game at 4-4. Crespo’s goal was a pivotal moment in the contest, as it shifted momentum firmly in Penn State’s favor.
The game’s intensity continued to fluctuate, with Penn State’s momentum momentarily stalling after Luke Misa took a charging penalty. The Lions faced a critical penalty kill, during which Ohio State’s Riley Thompson nearly capitalized on a prime scoring opportunity but mishandled the puck at a crucial moment. Penn State’s penalty kill unit, aided by key saves from Reidler and a timely puck clear from Cade Christenson, managed to hold the line. Shortly thereafter, Penn State’s JJ Wiebusch was called for diving, a penalty that revived Ohio State’s hopes. However, Penn State’s resilience shone through once again, as Reidler’s go