Big Ten Hockey Heats Up: Michigan and Penn State Battle to a 4-4 Tie in a Thriller at Yost
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - If Friday night was any indication, the race for the Big Ten title is far from over - and it’s going to be a wild finish.
In a game that had all the makings of a postseason preview, No. 2 Michigan and No.
6 Penn State skated to a dramatic 4-4 tie at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines claimed the extra point in the Big Ten standings with a shootout win, but the result did little to untangle the conference standings.
With just a few weeks left in the regular season, every point matters - and both teams left the ice knowing they had more work to do.
A Heavyweight Bout From the First Drop
From the opening faceoff, this one had the feel of a playoff game. Two top-10 teams, separated by just six points in the standings, trading momentum like a pair of prizefighters.
Michigan came in eyeing the top spot in the Big Ten, hoping to leapfrog an idle Michigan State. Penn State, meanwhile, was looking to close the gap and keep its title hopes alive.
Neither team could establish full control. Every time one side landed a punch, the other countered.
Penn State set the tone early with a milestone moment. Defenseman Jackson Smith made history, netting his ninth goal of the season - the most ever by a Nittany Lions blueliner in a single campaign. It was a fitting way to keep pace with Michigan’s high-octane offense, which entered the night as the most prolific scoring unit in the country.
Michigan leaned on its lethal power play - ranked third nationally - to stay in the fight, but Penn State’s relentless forecheck and transition game kept the Wolverines from running away with it. Regulation ended deadlocked, and a tense overtime period solved nothing. In the shootout, Michigan found the edge, but the NCAA still officially records the result as a tie.
Key Players Who Shaped the Night
Jackson Smith (Penn State): The sophomore defenseman continues to raise eyebrows around the league. With his ninth goal of the year, Smith not only etched his name into the Penn State record books, but also gave his team a crucial lift in a hostile environment. His presence on both ends of the ice was massive.
T.J. Hughes (Michigan): The Big Ten’s leading scorer and the nation’s active career points leader was once again in the middle of everything for the Wolverines. Entering the game averaging 1.43 points per contest, Hughes was a consistent threat and a stabilizing force during the game’s more chaotic stretches.
Jack Ivankovic (Michigan): Back in net after an injury layoff, Ivankovic had his hands full against a Penn State offense that averages over 3.5 goals per game. The Mike Richter Award watchlist goalie held his ground, especially in the third period and overtime, when the Nittany Lions pushed hard for a game-winner.
Aiden Fink (Penn State): After missing the last series against Michigan, Fink returned and made his presence felt. The sophomore forward added speed and creativity to Penn State’s attack, helping stretch the Wolverines’ defense and creating space for his linemates.
J.J. Wiebusch (Penn State): If Michigan fans didn’t already know his name, they certainly do now.
Wiebusch has built a reputation as a Wolverine killer, and he continued that trend Friday night. With 10 points in his last eight games against Michigan, he was once again a consistent thorn in their side.
Standings Get Tighter, Not Clearer
The tie - and Michigan’s shootout win - adds another layer of intrigue to an already chaotic Big Ten title race.
Michigan (23-5-1, 14-4-1 B1G): The Wolverines came into the weekend trailing Michigan State by just one point. With the Spartans off, a regulation or overtime win would’ve vaulted Michigan into first place. Instead, the shootout victory gives them two points instead of three, leaving them either tied or just behind, depending on how the Big Ten’s three-point system tallies the result.
Penn State (18-8-1, 10-6-1 B1G): The Nittany Lions are still in third, but they’ve got two games in hand on both Michigan and Michigan State. That’s a big deal. If they can string together a few wins down the stretch, the door is still wide open for a late surge to the top of the standings.
Saturday’s Rematch: Stakes Get Higher
The two teams are right back at it Saturday at 5:00 PM EST, and the implications couldn’t be bigger.
For Michigan, it’s a must-win if they want to keep the pressure on Michigan State heading into the final weeks. A regulation win would help them claw back control of the title race before the Spartans return to action.
For Penn State, another strong showing on the road would not only keep them in the hunt for the Big Ten crown but also solidify their resume as a legitimate postseason threat. With the NCAA tournament bubble looming, both teams are jockeying for position in the PairWise rankings - Michigan currently sits at No. 2, Penn State at No. 6 - and every point could be the difference between playing at home or hitting the road come March.
Friday night gave us a taste of playoff hockey in February. The rematch?
That one might have even more on the line. Buckle up.