Hockey Valley Goes Outdoors: Penn State, Michigan State Set for Big Ten Showdown at Beaver Stadium
This weekend, Hockey Valley goes big-really big. For the first time ever, Penn State will take the ice outdoors at Beaver Stadium, and they’re not easing into it.
No. 5 Penn State welcomes No.
2 Michigan State in a clash that carries major Big Ten implications and plenty of history. The stage?
One of college football’s most iconic venues. The stakes?
First place in the conference and bragging rights in a deadlocked all-time series.
Let’s break it down.
A Rivalry on Ice-and Now, Snow
Saturday’s outdoor game marks just the second time Penn State has played in the elements at the Division I level. The Nittany Lions previously suited up at Wrigley Field in January 2025, skating to a 3-3 tie with Notre Dame before dropping a marathon nine-round shootout. But the roots go deeper-back to 2012, when Penn State faced off at Citizens Bank Park during its final club season.
Now, the Lions bring it home. And they’ll do it against a familiar foe.
The all-time series between Penn State and Michigan State couldn’t be tighter-22 wins apiece, with eight ties. The Spartans got the better of the last meeting, sweeping the Lions in East Lansing back in November.
But over the years, Pegula Ice Arena has been kind to Penn State, where they hold a 12-8-4 edge. That said, Michigan State has had their number recently in Happy Valley, going 4-0-1 in their last five visits.
Expect fireworks-and maybe a little snow.
Spartans Heating Up at the Right Time
Michigan State rolls into this one riding a four-game win streak, fresh off back-to-back sweeps of Wisconsin and Minnesota. They sit just one point behind Penn State and Michigan in the Big Ten standings, and they’ve made a habit of jumping out early.
In first periods this season, the Spartans have outscored opponents 32-6. That +26 goal differential in the opening frame isn’t just impressive-it’s a tone-setter.
Leading the charge is a top line that’s been nothing short of dominant. Daniel Russell, Charlie Stramel, and Porter Martone have combined for 82 points (35 goals, 47 assists) and a collective +65 rating.
Stramel leads the trio at +24, with Russell and Martone not far behind. Martone, in particular, has been lethal-he ranks ninth in the nation in goals per game (0.64) and 12th in points per game (1.27), with 14 goals and 14 assists on the season.
Between the pipes, junior netminder Trey Augustine has been a wall. He leads the country with a 1.73 goals-against average, ranks second in save percentage (.938), and already has three shutouts this year. With 59 career wins, he’s the winningest active goalie in college hockey.
Special teams? A mixed bag.
MSU’s power play has struggled, converting at just 22.4%-last in the Big Ten. But their penalty kill is rock solid at 82.8%, second in the conference behind only Penn State.
Penn State Riding Historic Momentum
The Nittany Lions are red-hot. Winners of seven straight overall and in Big Ten play, they’re in the midst of the longest winning streak in program history.
Last weekend’s sweep of then-No. 5 Wisconsin marked their fourth Big Ten series sweep of the season, tying a program record set back in 2016-17.
One of the biggest reasons for their surge? Freshman forward Gavin McKenna.
Since returning from the 2026 World Junior Championships, McKenna has been on a tear-racking up 11 points (six goals, five assists) over a five-game point streak. He notched his first collegiate hat trick and a career-high four points in Friday’s 7-2 rout of Wisconsin, then followed it up with another goal in Saturday’s win.
He leads all Big Ten rookies with 29 points and ranks second nationally among freshmen. In conference play, he’s second in scoring with 19 points in just 14 games.
On the blue line, Jackson Smith has been making waves of his own. The freshman defenseman has scored in four of eight games this semester and sits at seven goals and 15 points on the year. Among rookie defensemen, he’s tied for second nationally in points and leads the Big Ten.
Then there’s the goaltending tandem of Josh Fleming and Kevin Reidler-arguably the best 1-2 punch in the country. Together, they’ve posted a .926 team save percentage, second in the Big Ten behind Michigan State and third nationally.
Fleming leads the nation with a .944 save percentage and a 1.83 goals-against average. Reidler has won five straight starts and recently hit the 10-win mark, becoming just the sixth goalie in Penn State history to notch double-digit victories in a season.
What’s at Stake
This isn’t just an outdoor spectacle-it’s a pivotal moment in the Big Ten title race. With Penn State, Michigan, and Michigan State all within a point of each other, every shift matters. Every save, every power play, every blocked shot-it all adds up in a game that could decide who holds the inside track to the regular-season crown.
And let’s not forget the setting. Beaver Stadium, under the lights, with tens of thousands of fans braving the cold to watch two top-five teams battle it out on frozen turf. It’s the kind of moment that players dream about and fans never forget.
So bundle up, Hockey Valley. The stakes are high, the ice is cold, and the Big Ten’s best are ready to put on a show.