Who: Michigan (19-11-0) at Penn State (16-12-4)
Where: Pegula Arena
When: Friday, March 6th, 7:00PM - Saturday, March 7th, 3:00PM
TV: BTN Plus
About Penn State
The last time these two teams faced, they were worlds apart. Michigan had limped through their non-conference schedule and even looked vulnerable against lowly AIC. Penn State came to Yost at 6-2-2 and looked like a team who would challenge for a tourney spot.
These team are a little closer to each other this time around. In the 2nd of the season half both teams dropped games they needed to win against Michigan State and Ohio State; Michigan's losses pushed them to the edge of the PairWise, Penn State's losses knocked them out.
This weekend Michigan's #1 offense will face a blueline ranked 39th in goals allowed, while the 38th ranked Wolverine blueline will face a Penn State offense at 9th.
Although the Nittany Lions have lost 5 of their last 6 and will be without 2nd leading scorer Taylor Holstrom, this is still a formidable team at home boasting an 11-2-3 record.
At forward a host of breakout stars have vaulted Penn State into a Top-10 scoring offense, led by 21 goal scorer Casey Bailey. David Goodwin and Eric Scheid have added 13 each.
In net Eamon McAdam will make his first start since January 16th.
Outlook
The stakes this weekend are rather large, for both teams.
Penn State can still improve their seeding for the Big Ten tourney, but they need to keep winning to pass Michigan State.
Michigan needs two wins at a place where Penn State has only lost twice this year to keep their at-large chances alive and to stay in 1st place in the Big Ten.
Dylan Larkin and Zach Hyman can't carry Michigan to two wins on the road, it has to be Steve Racine giving two stand-on-your-head performances. Anything less and they're heading to Munn with a serious blow to their postseason hopes.