Penn State Hockey Final Score: Michigan 6, PSU 3

No.6 Michigan finished the series sweep of No.15 Penn State with a 6-3 victory in front of 13,479 cheering fans inside of Madison Square Garden. The win propels the Wolverines into a first place tie in the Big Ten standings with Minnesota. The loss puts Penn State six points behind the B1G lead.

The first period was evenly fought, with Michigan jumping out to a lead and then Penn State tying it up in the closing seconds. The second period was dominated by the Lions, who answered a quick Michigan goal in the first 15 seconds with two goals of their own. The final period saw the Wolverines take control of the game. Scoring four unanswered goals, the team showed why it owns the highest scoring offense in college hockey. Penn State goalie Eamon McAdam made a dozen saves that could have gotten behind any goalie, holding PSU in the game well into the third period.

The Lions will travel to Big Ten-leading Minnesota for a pair of games next weekend. The series will be played inside Mariucci Arena on a skating surface that is 20 feet wider than the ice surface inside Pegula Ice Arena. With the Lions trailing both Minnesota and Michigan by six points in the Big Ten standings, it is critical for the team to regroup and put its best foot forward.

Key Moments In The Game

For fifteen minutes, the teams played an even, uptempo match to start the game. With five minutes left in the first period, Alex Kile gave Michigan the lead when he beat Eamon McAdam with a hard wrist shot. Dexter Dancs and Boo Nieves assisted on the play.

With 40.7 seconds left in the first period, David Goodwin scored to tie the game on a great pass from Vince Pedrie. The Lions had several chances to score earlier in the period but were turned back by Michigan goalie Steve Racine. It was important for the team to get the tying goal heading into the first intermission, as it played even with the Wolverines but trailed on the scoreboard.

Early in the second period the Lions went on the power play when Tyler Motte was called for tripping. Seconds into the power play, Michigan scored a short-handed goal. JT Comphor took a long pass from Max Shuart and finished the play past McAdam for a 2-1 lead.

Later on the same power play, McAdam made an outlet pass to the opposite blue line where Vince Pedrie was waiting for it. Pedrie found the streaking Andrew Sturtz with a sharp pass, and Sturtz scored to tie the game 2-2. Pedrie and McAdam assisted on the goal.

Four minutes later the Lions took the lead when Ricky DeRosa scored his fifth goal of the season. The goal gave Penn State a 3-2 lead heading into the final period.

With 17:41 left to play in the game Michigan tied it up at 3 apiece when Sam Piazza found Boo Nieves with a crossing pass and McAdam could not react in time to make the save.

The teams skated evenly for the next ten minutes until Justin Selman gave Michigan a 4-3 lead off a great pass from Brendan Warren. Following the goal the teams began to play very physically. There were several pushing matches after the whistle as the competition on the ice intensified.

Two minutes after the Wolverines took the lead, it extended it to 5-3 with a quick pass and snap shot finish by Tyler Motte. With just two minutes left in the game a brutal hit on Tyler Motte by Andrew Sturtz paused the action for several minutes. Motte stayed on the ice, bleeding from his mouth, for several minutes but would remain in the game. Sturtz was handed a five minute major penalty for the hit and will have to sit out the first game of the series next weekend in Minnesota.

Motte would return the ice and score an empty net goal to seal the victory for the Wolverines.

Stars of the Game

Tyler Motte, Michigan. 2 goals and one bloody lip.

Eamon McAdam, Penn State. 43 saves, one assist.

Boo Nieves, Michigan. One goal, one assist.

Here are some of the Nittany Lion highlights for the night. One thing is for sure, the fans were playing their part, providing enthusiasm and noise when needed.

WATCH: All three of #PennState goals and a few tremendous saves by Eamon McAdam. https://t.co/7gcz6eAZ4R #WeAre #HockeyValley

— Penn State Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) January 31, 2016