In a spectacle of skill, strategy, and sheer dominance, the Penn State Nittany Lions delivered a statement victory, demolishing No. 19/20 Wisconsin 6-2 at the Kohl Center. The triumph not only cemented a series sweep over the Badgers but also showcased an electrifying four-goal third period that left fans in awe. Sophomore Reese Laubach, fresh off his return from injury, stole the spotlight, netting two crucial goals to propel Penn State to an emphatic win in this high-stakes Big Ten showdown.
From Early Battle to an Unstoppable Avalanche of Goals
The game kicked off with Wisconsin striking first, capitalizing on a power-play opportunity midway through the opening period. Kyle Kukkonen found himself in the perfect position to shove a loose puck past Penn State’s defense, giving the Badgers a 1-0 lead at 11:57.
But the Nittany Lions weren’t about to let that stand for long. With precision and poise, freshman Charlie Cerrato executed a flawless faceoff win in the offensive zone, setting up Cade Christenson for a laser-guided wrist shot from the point. The puck rocketed through traffic, completely eluding Wisconsin’s netminder Tommy Scarfone, and suddenly, it was all square at 1-1 with 14:58 on the clock.
Momentum swung in Penn State’s favor early in the second period when Laubach found the back of the net. Receiving a pinpoint feed from senior Danny Dzhaniyev, he showcased his finishing prowess, snapping a shot past Scarfone from the low slot at 6:36, handing Penn State a crucial 2-1 advantage.
Then came the third period—a masterclass in dominance. Laubach wasted no time doubling his tally, collecting an airborne pass from Dzhaniyev, slipping between two defenders, and coolly beating Scarfone with a slick move over the blocker. Just like that, Penn State had a commanding 3-1 lead at 4:49.
Wisconsin momentarily clawed back, trimming the deficit to one as Ryland Mosley rifled a shot through traffic on the power play, making it 3-2 at 6:26. But that flicker of hope for the Badgers was extinguished in dramatic fashion.
Seizing control once more, Penn State responded with a power-play goal of its own. Cerrato expertly fed sophomore Matt DiMarsico, who wasted no time blasting a wrister into the top corner for a 4-2 edge at 12:44. The floodgates had officially opened.
Just three minutes later, Cerrato struck again, this time on a 5-on-3 advantage. His lethal shot zipped past Scarfone, sending the Penn State bench into a frenzy as the lead stretched to 5-2 at 15:08.
To put the final nail in the coffin, sophomore Aiden Fink added a spectacular shorthanded tally, deflecting a long-range shot from senior Simon Mack into an empty net at 17:41. With that, the Nittany Lions cemented a jaw-dropping 6-2 victory, capping off one of their most dominant performances of the season.
A Goaltending Masterclass by Sergeev
Penn State’s triumph wasn’t just about offensive firepower—goaltender Arsenii Sergeev put on an absolute clinic between the pipes. The junior netminder turned away a staggering 39 shots, including a jaw-dropping 22-save second period that tied a single-period school record. His heroics ensured that despite Wisconsin’s relentless attack, Penn State remained in control.
On the flip side, Scarfone endured a nightmarish outing for the Badgers, conceding six goals while making just 16 saves, as Penn State’s relentless pressure proved too much to handle.
Noteworthy Stats & Historic Achievements
- Reese Laubach: With his two-goal explosion, Laubach now boasts multiple points in five of six games since returning from injury. His multi-goal performance marked his third of the season and fourth of his career.
- Danny Dzhaniyev: Dishing out three assists, Dzhaniyev matched his career-high for both points and assists in a game, notching his 23rd multi-point performance.
- Charlie Cerrato: The freshman had a career night, racking up a personal-best three points (one goal, two assists) and securing his ninth multi-point game of the season.
- Aiden Fink: Now with a team-leading 12 multi-point games, Fink became just the eighth Nittany Lion in program history to eclipse 40 points in a single season. His 21 goals are just two shy of tying the all-time single-season record.
- Simon Mack: With his latest assist, Mack tied Luke Juha for fifth-most career assists by a defenseman in Penn State history. His 19 assists this season rank sixth all-time for a Nittany Lion blue-liner.
Penn State’s Perfect Formula for Victory
Despite being outshot 41-22—including a jaw-dropping 22-5 deficit in the second period—the Nittany Lions found a way to dominate where it mattered most: the scoreboard. Their ability to strike on special teams, execute under pressure, and lock down defensively when needed highlighted their resilience and championship mentality.
With this victory, Penn State remains undefeated (13-0-0) when leading after two periods this season, while also improving to 11-4-1 when scoring first.
What’s Next? A Valentine’s Weekend Showdown Awaits
With Wisconsin officially in the rearview mirror, the Nittany Lions now turn their attention to a high-stakes home series against Notre Dame. Expect fireworks in Hockey Valley as Penn State looks to build on its momentum and continue its push for Big Ten dominance.
Final Thought—A Warning to the Big Ten
If Penn State’s explosive performance against Wisconsin is any indication, the Nittany Lions are heating up at the perfect time. Their relentless attack, clutch goaltending, and ability to execute under pressure make them a force to be reckoned with. As the postseason looms, one thing is clear—Penn State isn’t just here to compete. They’re here to dominate.
