Even though the Big Ten hockey teams had exhibition games to help them prepare for their season, the five schools that opened their campaigns last weekend offered up mixed results.
The lone ranked Big Ten team playing last weekend was Minnesota, and the No. 8/9 (USCHO.com/USA Today) Golden Gophers were shut out at home in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game by Vermont, 3-0.
Freshman goalie Eric Schierhorn made his first career start and was beaten twice by Mario Puskarich. The Catamounts added an empty-net goal with a minute left in the game to seal the win. The Golden Gophers managed 24 shots on goal, with four each coming from Connor Reilly and Justin Kloos.
Penn State 6, Canisus 1
The Nittany Lions scored early and often in the team’s season-opening win. Senior Curtis Loik and a goal and two assists in the team’s 3-goal first period. The Nittany Lions got two goals from David Glen, and goals from Ricky DeRosa, Chase Berger and David Goodwin. Goodwin (goal and an assist) and Kenny Brooks (two assists) joined Loik and Glen with multi-point games. Eamon McAdam stopped 27 shots and allowed only a power-play goal midway through the third period.
Michigan State 3, Maine 3; Michigan State 4, Lake Superior State 1
In the Ice Breaker Tournament in Portland, Maine, the Spartans rallied to tie Maine 3-3 on Friday night when freshman Zach Osburn scored his second goal of the game with 1:19 left in the third period. Michigan State came back from three one-goal deficits in the game, which they lost in a shootout — although it goes as a tie in the overall standings.
On Saturday, McKenzie McEachern scored the first of his two goals to break a 1-1 tie en route to a 4-1 win on Saturday. McEachern’s goals were sandwiched between Michael Ferrantino’s first period marker and JT Stenglein’s goal with 7:18 left in the game. Jake Hildebrand stopped 29 of 30 shots in the game.
Bowling Green 6, Ohio State 3; Bowling Green 2, Ohio State 0
The 16th-ranked (USCHO.com) Falcons swept a home-and-home series with Ohio State. The Buckeyes were down 2-0 before the game was 9 minutes old, but got within a goal after one period. Bowling Green’s offense was too much the rest of the way, though. Nick Schilkey scored twice for the Buckeyes.
On Saturday, Buckeyes’ goalie Chris Nell stopped 25 shots and held Bowling Green scoreless until midway through the third period.
Wisconsin 2, Northern Michigan 2; Wisconsin 3, Northern Michigan 3
Two former WCHA rivals tied a pair at the Kohl Center in Madison last weekend. Grant Besse scored with 42 seconds left in the third period on Friday night to forge the tie. Wisconsin had led 1-0 going into the third before the Wildcats scored twice in 129 seconds to take the lead.
On Saturday night, the Badgers rallied again — this time from a 3-0 third period deficit. Ryan Wagner, Jedd Soleway and Luke Kunin scored less than three minutes apart midway through the period to force the tie.
Stars Of The Weekend
The stars of the weekend from the Big Ten are:
First star: Curtis Loik, Penn State
Second star: Zach Osburn, Michigan State
Third star: JT Stenglein, Michigan State
This Weekend’s Games
- Michigan opens their season with home games on Oct. 16 and 18 against Mercyhurst.
- Michigan State hits the road for the second straight weekend for a pair at Denver University on Oct. 16 and 17.
- Minnesota takes on former WCHA rival Minnesota-Duluth in a home-and-home weekend. The Gophers host the Bulldogs on Oct. 16, and travel north on Oct. 17.
- Ohio State has another in-state home-and-home series, this time with Miami. They host the Redhawks on Oct. 16, and travel to Oxford on Oct. 17.
- Penn State welcomes Notre Dame to Hockey Valley for games on Oct. 16 and 17.
- Wisconsin heads east to take on Boston College (Oct. 16), and Boston University (Oct. 17).
Follow Lonny on Twitter @lonny_goldsmith and you can always reach him at Lonny.Goldsmith@prohockeynews.com
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