Porter Martone Shines as Michigan State Sweeps Penn State in Statement Weekend
If you’re looking for a forward in the NCAA who’s not just producing, but taking over games, look no further than Porter Martone. The sixth overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft-and a prized Flyers prospect-put together a dominant six-point weekend as Michigan State swept Penn State, completing a season sweep of the Nittany Lions and reminding everyone why the Spartans are a serious contender this year.
Let’s break it down.
Friday Night: Quick Start, Hat Trick Heroics, and Martone in the Middle of It All
Michigan State wasted no time setting the tone in Friday’s opener. Goals from Anthony Romani and Owen West staked the Spartans to an early two-goal lead.
Then Martone got in on the action, picking up the first of his six points on the weekend with a slick secondary assist. It was a smart, subtle play-Martone chipped the puck down the right boards to Cayden Lindstrom, who drove the net and created the chaos that led to Romani’s second goal of the night.
That’s the kind of play that doesn’t always make the highlight reel, but it’s the connective tissue of a high-functioning offense.
After Penn State trimmed the lead in the second, Martone restored order with a classic net-front goal-his 15th of the season. He redirected a point shot, hunted down his own rebound, and after a couple of determined whacks, stuffed it home to make it 4-1. That’s Martone’s office-the top of the crease-and he’s making a living there.
Penn State made a push in the third, cutting the lead to one, but Michigan State locked it down late. Two empty-netters sealed the deal, including one from Romani to complete his hat trick. Martone added a third point on the night with an assist on Daniel Russell’s empty-netter in the final minute.
Saturday: Outdoor Drama, Overtime Magic, and Another Big Day for No. 29
Saturday’s outdoor matchup brought a little more drama, but once again, Martone was at the heart of it all.
He wasted no time making an impact, picking up a primary assist just over two minutes in. From deep in the Spartans’ zone, Martone hit Charlie Stramel in stride through the neutral zone.
Stramel then found Russell crashing the net for the opening goal. It was a heads-up play to start the breakout and a reminder of Martone’s vision and poise with the puck.
Martone didn’t stop there. He created a high-danger look moments later with a slick feed from below the goal line, and later added another assist when Stramel buried the rebound off his own breakaway. Martone was buzzing all game, generating chances and drawing attention every time he was on the ice.
Penn State punched back, with Gavin McKenna leading the charge. The Nittany Lions briefly took their first lead of the weekend, but Michigan State’s power play responded just before the second intermission.
With two seconds left in the period, Russell found Stramel at the top of the crease for the equalizer. Martone didn’t get a point on the play, but his presence in front of the net helped create the traffic that made the goal possible.
He was on the ice for all four of Michigan State’s goals in regulation.
After Penn State regained the lead early in the third, the Spartans’ top line answered. Following a strong shift, Martone wrapped around the net and sent the puck back to the point, where captain Matt Basgall wired home the tying goal. That assist gave Martone his sixth point of the weekend-and it was another example of how he creates offense not just with flash, but with smart, sustained pressure.
The game headed to overtime, and after a tense penalty kill-thanks to a cross-checking call on fellow Flyers prospect Shane Vansaghi-Stramel finished the job. Patrick Geary made a strong play along the boards to spring Stramel, who beat Kevin Reidler short side to complete his own hat trick and secure the sweep.
Martone’s Stock Keeps Rising
With 15 goals and 19 assists through 24 games, Martone is now sitting at 34 points and holding steady at a 1.42 points-per-game clip-good for top-five in the nation. What’s more impressive is the consistency.
He was tracking at 1.41 earlier in January and hasn’t missed a beat. That’s not just a hot streak-that’s a trend.
After a quieter showing against Minnesota, this weekend felt like a statement. Martone didn’t just show up on the scoresheet-he drove play, made smart reads in all three zones, and showed why he’s one of the most complete forwards in college hockey right now.
What’s Next
The Spartans now gear up for a marquee matchup against in-state rival Michigan. Unless something drastic changes in the rankings, we’re looking at a potential No. 1 vs.
No. 2 showdown in Division I hockey. It’s the kind of high-stakes rivalry game that can define a season-and Martone will be right in the middle of it.
He’s already proven he can carry the load. Now, with the spotlight getting even brighter, he’ll have another chance to show just how far he can take this Spartans team.