Penn State Faces Uncertainty with Charlie Cerrato Ahead of Clash with No. 5 Wisconsin
Penn State is riding high after a sweep of Notre Dame, but the No. 8-ranked Nittany Lions could be without one of their most impactful players when they head to Madison to take on No. 5 Wisconsin this weekend. Forward Charlie Cerrato, the heartbeat of Penn State’s top line, remains doubtful to return, according to head coach Guy Gadowsky.
“I’m not 100% confident in giving you an update, but (Cerrato is) doubtful for this weekend,” Gadowsky told reporters during Tuesday’s media availability.
That’s not the news Penn State fans were hoping for - especially with the stakes rising in the second half of the season. Cerrato has been the engine behind the “B-T-B” line, flanked by Matt DiMarsico and JJ Wiebusch, a trio that’s been lighting up the scoreboard all year. The line is currently averaging 3.41 points per game, making it one of the most productive units in college hockey.
Cerrato's absence last weekend didn’t stop the Nittany Lions from taking care of business against Notre Dame, but going up against a top-five team like Wisconsin is a different kind of test - especially on the road at the Kohl Center.
Before going down with the injury, Cerrato was leading the team in both assists (18) and points (24), and he wasn’t just producing offensively. He was also making his mark in the faceoff circle, ranking in the Top 20 nationally with 218 wins and a 59.1% success rate. That kind of two-way impact is hard to replace.
Gadowsky also updated the status of a few other key players. Forward Shea Van Olm and defensemen Casey Aman and Mac Gadowsky are all listed as day-to-day. While none of those injuries appear long-term, their availability could still play a role in how Penn State matches up against a deep and physical Badgers squad.
The Nittany Lions have shown they can win without Cerrato, but his presence - especially against a top-tier opponent - could be the difference between a solid showing and a statement weekend. If he’s unable to go, expect Penn State to lean even more heavily on the rest of the top six and hope their depth can hold strong in what’s shaping up to be a pivotal Big Ten showdown.