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STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 31: Daniel Russell #20 of the Michigan State Spartans scores a goal against Kevin Reidler #35 of the Penn State Nittany Lions in the first period during NCAA men's hockey at the West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium on January 31, 2026 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images) | Getty Images
It was an exciting atmosphere at Beaver Stadium on Saturday afternoon for the outdoor game, but Michigan State wrapped up a season sweep of the Nittany Lions with a 5-4 win in overtime. Penn State did a solid job of turning the tide in the second period, but too many mistakes and a near-unstoppable Spartans forecheck did in the Nittany Lions. Nearly 75,000 people showed up for today’s game, higher than the expected number of 60,000-65,000.
First Period
Michigan State scored first when Charlie Stramel whipped a pass in front to Daniel Russell, who batted home the puck to give the Spartans an early 1-0 lead. The Spartans largely controlled the first period with their suffocating forecheck, cutting off Penn State’s breakout lanes and forcing several ugly turnovers. Fortunately, Kevin Reidler made some big saves to keep the game at 1-0 entering the first intermission.
Second Period
Aiden Fink woke up the faithful at Beaver Stadium just 13 seconds into the second when he deked past Patrick Geary and wristed home the tying goal:
Michigan State answered just minutes later when Charlie Stramel deposited home a rebound after Porter Martone’s initial shot was stopped by Reidler.
Gavin McKenna tied the game later in the period when he received a pass from Mac Gadowsky off the faceoff win and wristed home a goal through traffic. He scored as the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast was raving about Penn State’s student section:
Penn State eventually took its first lead in regulation at any point in this regular season series with Michigan State when Gavin McKenna made a great feed to Aiden Fink in front of the net. Fink scored his second goal of the game to give PSU a 3-2 lead:
7218
— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) January 31, 2026
Just as it seemed Penn State would take momentum into the final period, Michigan State converted on a power play in the final minute. Charlie Stramel scored his second of the game with two seconds left to send the game to the third period tied at three.
Third Period
Shea Van Olm gave Penn State the lead right back at 4-3 on a perfectly executed breakaway after he stripped the puck from Maxim Strbak:
Michigan State sustained some pressure and eventually tied the game when Matt Basgall fired home a wrist shot from the blue line through traffic. Penn State had a power play shortly after but could not get anything going against an aggressive Michigan State penalty kill. The game eventually went to overtime tied at 4.
Overtime
Michigan State controlled possession in overtime, and it was Charlie Stramel who finished off his hat trick by beating Kevin Reidler on the glove side to seal a 5-4 win for the Spartans.
Scoring Summary
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | Final | |
| Michigan State | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Penn State | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
First Period
- MSU: Daniel Russell (10)- Charlie Stramel (19), Porter Martone (17)- 5v5- 2:24
Second Period
- PSU: Aiden Fink (4)- Dane Dowiak (7), Gavin McKenna (20)- 5v5- 0:13
- MSU: Charlie Stramel (14)- Porter Martone (18), Owen West (5)- 5v5- 3:52
- PSU: Gavin McKenna (11)- Mac Gadowsky (11), Dane Dowiak (8)- 5v5- 8:23
- PSU: Aiden Fink (5)- Gavin McKenna (21), Dane Dowiak (9)- 5v5- 16:25
- MSU: Charlie Stramel (15)- Daniel Russell (18), Matt Basgall (13)- PP- 19:58
Third Period
- PSU: Shea Van Olm (3)- Unassisted- 5v5- 4:17
- MSU: Matt Basgall (3)- Daniel Russell (19), Porter Martone (19)- 5v5- 7:38
Overtime
- MSU: Charlie Stramel (16)- Patrik Geary (8), Daniel Russell (20)- 3v3- 3:08
Shots By Period
- MSU: 17-14-6-3-40
- PSU: 10-16-9-0-35
Takeaways
- Fun Atmosphere- Nearly 75,000 people showed up to this game in the freezing cold, and despite the bitter temperatures, it was a fun environment. The audio crew played “Cold As Ice” a few too many times, but it was a solid atmosphere for two of the best teams in the sport.
- Nightmares- I am glad that this is probably the last time we see this Michigan State team in the regular season. Their forecheck gave us fits in all four games, and they are a well-disciplined team that does not make too many mistakes passing the puck.
- Aiden Fink- For all his goal-scoring struggles this season, Aiden Fink scored two nice goals in the second period to help swing momentum toward Penn State.
- Shea Van Olm- The 72-19-18 line did most of the work on offense, but Shea Van Olm made a great play in the third by causing a turnover and scoring on a breakaway.
- Expectations- Being swept by Michigan State is certainly not ideal and not in line with the preseason expectations Penn State had. This is without question a very strong Penn State team, but the Spartans may well be the best team in the country. Penn State has beaten everyone on their schedule except this MSU team.
Standings & Such
Penn State dropped back to third place in the Big Ten. The chances of winning the regular season title are fading, but the Lions are still in line to host a first round game in the Big Ten Tournament.
At the time of posting, Penn State is still No. 5 in the NPI. Two losses (one in overtime) to the No. 2 team in the ranking is not going to drop the Nittany Lions far.
What’s Next
Penn State will be idle next weekend, the team’s final weekend off in the regular season.
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