Penn State had enough offense to win Friday night. It just didn’t have enough finish.
The Nittany Lions built a two-goal lead, got a pair of firsts from Shea Busch, and cashed in twice on three power-play chances, but Notre Dame clawed all the way back for a 5-4 overtime win at Pegula Ice Arena. Evan Werner scored the game-winner after the Fighting Irish strung together three straight goals to erase the deficit.
Penn State dropped to 2-6-1 and went beyond regulation for the fourth game in a row. For the second straight outing, overtime ended with the Nittany Lions watching the other bench celebrate.
There was plenty to like early. Penn State skated with energy, won races to loose pucks and moved the puck cleanly through the offensive zone. The passes were crisp, the pressure was there, and the Nittany Lions looked in control of the pace.
Notre Dame still struck first. Hagen Burrows redirected a Paul Fischer shot past Ryder Fetterolf to put the Fighting Irish on top, even with Penn State dictating much of the early play.
The response came on the power play. Justin Poirier tied it with a sharp-angle shot over Patrick Quinlan’s blocker, finding just enough space high in the net. Then, after another Notre Dame penalty, Poirier set up Lev Katzin across the crease, and Katzin buried his first goal of the season from the circle to send Penn State to the first intermission ahead 2-1.
The second period quickly turned into a back-and-forth fight around the crease. Notre Dame needed less than three minutes to level it when a shot nicked Ryder Fetterolf’s glove and dropped near the net, where Dashel Oliver cleaned it up.
Penn State answered right away. Nolan Collins fired on a rush, Busch tracked the rebound, and the freshman scored his first collegiate goal to push the Nittany Lions back in front.
Busch wasn’t done. Later in the period, while Penn State was shorthanded, Quinlan left the puck behind his net for a teammate. Busch jumped on it, stole possession and wrapped it into the empty cage for a 4-2 lead.
That should have been enough breathing room. It wasn’t.
Brennan Ali cut the margin to one late in the second with a power-play goal from near the blue line, and Notre Dame carried that momentum into the third. Danny Nelson redirected a puck into the upper part of the net midway through the period to tie it at 4-4 and wipe out Penn State’s cushion.
The game moved to overtime, where Werner finished the comeback with help from Nelson and Fischer.
Penn State got real production from its top moments - the power play worked, Busch broke through, and Poirier and Katzin each finished with a goal and an assist. But the Nittany Lions couldn’t protect the area around their net, and the rebounds and redirections kept opening the door for Notre Dame.
In the end, the offense was there. The lead was there. The win was not.
In Other News...
Penn State Wrestling Lineup Just Got A Huge Preseason Shakeup
Penn States wrestling plans took a hit this week when Levi Haines was ruled ineligible for a fifth season, a decision that immediately changes the look of the lineup heading into the opener against Bloomsburg. The 10th Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the NCAA in denying additional eligibility for athletes from the 2022 class who did not redshirt, closing the door on a possible return for one of the programs most accomplished recent wrestlers.
Haines leaves after four seasons in Happy Valley with multiple titles to his name, and his recent world championship at 79 KG only underscored how much firepower he would have brought back. Instead, Penn State now has to sort out weight class assignments and adjust quickly before the season begins, with the ripple effects likely felt well beyond just one spot in the lineup. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Fans Have Plenty To Say About These Offseason Changes
Penn State Athletics spent part of the offseason giving fans a clearer picture of what is changing around the program, and Beaver Stadium remains front and center. The renovation update included new chairback seats and more legroom in the west lower bowl, a small but meaningful comfort upgrade for a fan base that knows every inch of the stadium well. Alongside the construction news, the department also rolled out a student rewards program designed to keep campus crowds engaged by offering extra entries into the 2027 football ticket lottery for attending sporting events.
There was plenty more in the latest wave of updates, too, with the 2027 baseball schedule now out and set to begin with a series in the Bahamas. Wrestling also got a boost in the recruiting conversation, as three Penn State commits were ranked among the top 10 in the 2027 class by MatScouts. For a program that lives on constant momentum across sports, it was the kind of offseason news cycle that reminded fans there is always something developing in State College. [Read more 🡒]
Penn State Passing Surge Faces A Real Test At Washington
Taylor Mouser had reason to feel better after Penn States offense finally put together a strong showing against Purdue, a performance that brought the Nittany Lions their first Power 4 win of the season. The timing mattered, too, because the passing game has been trying to find a steadier rhythm, and the improvement offered a useful sign that the group can move the ball with more consistency when things are clicking.
The challenge now is carrying that momentum into Washington with some uncertainty hanging over the receiver room. Injuries to Chase Sowell, Koby Howard and Zay Robinson could force Penn State to adjust its approach, and Matt Campbell has already indicated Howard is unlikely to play after limited practice time. With Rocco Becht still drawing praise for his veteran presence despite earlier turnovers, the next step for this offense may come down to how well it can adapt if its options on the outside remain thin. [Read more 🡒]