Penn State's quest for an NCAA championship on the ice took a big step forward on Friday night in Allentown. Turning the PPL Center in Allentown into a home away from home, Penn State upset No. 1 seed Maine in dominant fashion with a 5-1 victory.
The win by the Nittany Lions advances Penn State to Sunday's regional final with a spot in the Frozen Four on the line.Maine struck early with a goal by Taylor Makaar just under five minutes into the game, but Penn State rattled off three straight goals before the end of the first period to take a commanding 3-1 lead into the first intermission. Dan Dowiak had a power-play goal to put Penn State up by two goals late in the first period.
Up by two thanks to @danedowiak 🫡#NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPN2 / @PennStateMHKYpic.twitter.com/45sPAgyNGa— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 29, 2025Penn State continued to keep Maine at bay and took a commanding 4-1 lead thanks to a snipe by Matt DiMarsico six minutes into the second period.
TOP CHEDDAR 🧀 Matt DiMarsico with his second of the game 🚨#NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPN2 / @PennStateMHKYpic.twitter.com/nJ0XkhkdNg— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 29, 2025Penn State will face UConn in the regional final on Sunday.
UConn won its first D1 hockey tournament game in program history with a 4-1 victory over Quinnipiac earlier in the day in Allentown.Penn State is the last Big Ten team left in the NCAA tournament. Minnesota was eliminated in its first-round matchup against UMass, 5-4.
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