Men's Hockey Recap: Penn State Falls to Michigan, 8-1

First Period

The game started with a fast pace. During the first minute of play, Penn State goalie Eamon McAdam was forced to make two extremely difficult saves. The teams went back and forth until JT Compher of Michigan was called for the first penalty of the game with 13:34 remaining in the first period. During the power play, Penn State was unable to make a serious threat at scoring a goal.

With ten minutes remaining in the period, Penn State forward Curtis Loik got a clean breakaway chance but was unable to get the puck past Michigan goalie Zach Nagelvoort.

The teams matched tempo over the next five minutes without either team creating a serious chance to score. With 4:45 remaining in the period, Michigan put serious heat on Penn State goalie Eamon McAdam. The Wolverines got several shots on goal in one possession, and the Lion defense made a few blocks in aiding McAdam. Despite the barrage of pucks, Penn State was able to keep the Wolverines off the board.

With 1:30 left in the period, PSU power forward Jonathan Milley hit the post on a shot. Tonight's game was Milley's first since a nagging back injury flared up a month ago. Ten seconds later Michigan freshman star Dylan Larkin made a freshman mistake, taking a penalty. Penn State was unable to capitalize on the mistake as the horn sounded to end the first period.

Second Period

With 18:30 left in the period the Lions appeared to have scored the first goal of the game. Curtis Loik and Scott Conway combined on a great play that resulted in the puck coming to rest on the goal line. Though after the officials reviewed the play, the call was no goal. Forty-five seconds later, Cristoval 'Boo' Nieves scored the first goal of the game to put Michigan went up 1-0.

Play was fluid from end to end for the next five minutes, with Michigan acting as the aggressor. With just under ten minutes left in the second period, Tyler Motte scored, making the lead 2-0 in favor of the Wolverines.

Then, with just under six minutes remaining, Penn State was called for a pair of penalties. This gave Michigan a five on three power play for a minute and a half. The Lions were able to kill the penalties, but feel victim to a post-penalty kill letdown. Zach Hyman found the back of the net, fortifying the Wolverin lead at 3-0.

Soon after, Penn State reaped the benefit of two Michigan penalties, and went on the five on three power play. Just after the first penalty expired, Taylor Holstrom scored for Penn State, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

Third Period

Early in the period, Penn State forward Jonathan Milley put a huge hit on Michigan's Tyler Motte. It was clean, but Motte had trouble getting off the ice and was not pleased. During Motte's next shift, he took an ill-advised penalty, giving Penn State a power play and the chance to cut into the 3-1 Michigan lead. Instead, Wolverine captain Andrew Copp scored a short-handed goal, reestablishing the three goal lead at 4-1.

Michigan took control of the game at this point, adding two goals by JT Compher and one each from Alex Kile and Michael Downing. With five goals in the third period, Michigan took the game 8-1.

What's up next

Penn State's three upcoming games are in Madison. A week from today, the Lions will join Cornell in a match at Madison Square Garden. A week later the team will travel to Madison, Wisconsin for a pair of games.