Penn State hockey didn’t just make noise this past weekend - it made history. On the road against then-No.
5 Wisconsin, the Nittany Lions delivered a sweep that sent shockwaves through the Big Ten and beyond. And at the center of it all?
Two forwards who turned the Kohl Center into their personal highlight reel: freshman Gavin McKenna and junior captain Dane Dowiak.
On Tuesday, the Big Ten recognized just how dominant the duo was. McKenna was named the conference’s First Star of the Week, while Dowiak earned Second Star honors. It’s a well-deserved nod to a weekend where both players weren’t just good - they were game-changing.
Let’s start with McKenna, who’s quickly shedding the “freshman” label and stepping into the spotlight as one of the Big Ten’s most dangerous offensive threats. This is his second straight week earning conference honors and the third time this season - a rare feat for a first-year player. Over the weekend, McKenna tied for the national lead with four goals and five points, leading Penn State to a pair of wins that extended the team’s Big Ten winning streak to a program-record seven games.
Friday night was McKenna’s breakout moment. He recorded his first collegiate hat trick in a 7-2 rout, adding an assist for good measure.
Then he followed it up with another goal in Saturday’s 3-1 victory, showing that his performance wasn’t just a flash - it’s part of a growing trend. McKenna now has points in five straight games and goals in three consecutive outings.
He’s been on the scoresheet in eight of his last nine, and he currently leads Penn State in conference scoring. His 19 points in Big Ten play - seven goals and 12 assists - place him second in the league.
But McKenna wasn’t the only one lighting the lamp. Dowiak matched his freshman teammate’s five-point weekend with a performance that was every bit as impactful.
The junior captain tallied his first career hat trick on Friday, and it wasn’t just any trio of goals. One of them was a shorthanded, game-winner - the kind of clutch play that defines a leader.
He followed that up with two assists on Saturday to complete a weekend where he simply took over.
Dowiak now leads the nation with four shorthanded goals this season - a new single-season record at Penn State. He also moved into second place all-time in program history with six career shorties. That’s not just production - that’s legacy-building.
Friday’s win was more than just a blowout. It was the first time in program history that two Penn State players recorded hat tricks in the same game. McKenna and Dowiak didn’t just fill up the scoresheet - they rewrote the record books.
This sweep wasn’t just about two players getting hot. It was a statement from a team that’s finding its stride at the right time. With McKenna’s emergence and Dowiak’s leadership, Penn State is no longer just hanging around in the Big Ten race - they’re charging full speed ahead.