Penn State Vs Ohio State Hockey
When it comes to college sports, few rivalries are as intense and competitive as Penn State vs Ohio State hockey. These two Big Ten conference powerhouses have been battling it out on the ice for years, and fans on both sides have a deep-seated love for their respective teams.
The History of the Rivalry
Penn State and Ohio State first started playing each other in hockey in the 2012-2013 season, when the Nittany Lions first joined the Big Ten conference. Since then, the two teams have faced each other numerous times, with a total of 24 games played as of the end of the 2020-2021 season.
In those 24 games, Ohio State has won 15 times, while Penn State has won 8 times, and there has been one tie game. Despite Ohio State's overall dominance in the series, Penn State has managed to pull off some impressive wins, including a 6-3 victory in the 2020 Big Ten tournament quarterfinals.
The Players to Watch
Both Penn State and Ohio State have produced some incredibly talented hockey players over the years. For Ohio State, one player to watch is senior forward Carson Meyer, who led the team in points during the 2020-2021 season with 23. On the Penn State side, junior forward Alex Limoges is a standout player, with 22 points in the 2020-2021 season.
Another player to keep an eye on is Ohio State's Gustaf Westlund, a freshman forward who scored 5 goals and had 7 assists in his first college hockey season. Penn State's Kevin Wall, a freshman forward, also had an impressive rookie season, with 10 goals and 7 assists.
The Coaches
Coaching is always an important factor in any sporting event, and the same is true for Penn State vs Ohio State hockey games. On the Ohio State side, head coach Steve Rohlik has been in charge since 2013 and has led the Buckeyes to numerous victories, including a Big Ten championship in 2019.
Penn State's head coach is Guy Gadowsky, who has been with the team since its inception in 2012. Gadowsky has a long and impressive coaching career, including successful stints at Alaska and Princeton before coming to Penn State.
The Big Ten Conference
Of course, when talking about Penn State vs Ohio State hockey, it's impossible to ignore the role of the Big Ten conference. Both teams are part of this highly competitive conference, which includes some of the best college hockey programs in the country.
Other teams in the Big Ten conference include Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Penn State has been a member of the conference since 2012, while Ohio State joined in 2013.
The Atmosphere at Games
One thing that both Penn State and Ohio State hockey fans can agree on is the incredible atmosphere at games. Both schools have passionate fan bases that fill the stands and create an electric energy in the arena.
At Ohio State, the Buckeyes play at the Value City Arena, which has a capacity of over 18,000 fans. Penn State's home rink is the Pegula Ice Arena, which can hold just over 6,000 spectators.
The Future of the Rivalry
Looking ahead, it's clear that Penn State vs Ohio State hockey is a rivalry that will only continue to grow in intensity and competitiveness. As both teams produce talented players and coaches, and as the Big Ten conference remains one of the top in the country, fans can look forward to many more exciting games between these two foes.
