Penn State Men's Hockey Prepares for Top-5 Matchup at Michigan State
Fresh from a road sweep over Ohio State, No. 3 Penn State men's hockey team is set to face another ranked opponent this weekend. The Nittany Lions will travel to East Lansing, ready to compete in one of college hockey’s most challenging road environments.
Coach and Player Insights Ahead of the Series
Before the game, head coach Guy Gadowsky and forward Gavin McKenna met with the media to discuss the upcoming high-stakes series against their top-five rival.
Injury Impact: Aiden Fink's Absence
Penn State will be moving forward without forward Aiden Fink, who was a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award last season. Fink sustained an upper-body injury in the game against Ohio State last Thursday and missed the following match on Friday.
“He has an upper body injury. He will be out for the foreseeable future.”
Gadowsky noted there is no precise timeline for Fink’s return, though he anticipates the junior forward will rejoin the team later this season, likely around Christmas.
Team Adjustments and Leadership
In Fink’s absence, the team plans to continue with the rotation used on Friday but remains prepared to make adjustments as needed.
“It’s going to suck without him in the lineup, but we know guys are going to step up,” McKenna said. “It’s a big role to fill, so guys are going to work hard, and I’m going to make sure I’m doing my job.”
Summary
Penn State faces a tough road test at Michigan State, adapting to key injuries while relying on team resilience and leadership to maintain their strong season performance.
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