MADISON, Wisc. — It took almost 107 minutes of hockey for Penn State to score at the Kohl Center, but the team still managed to comeback from a two-goal deficit to upset No. 16 ranked Wisconsin in overtime, 3-2. It was the first time Penn State beat a ranked opponent in program history.
After scoring their second goal, it seemed the Badgers could cruise for their second straight victory over the Nittany Lions. That all changed when center Taylor Holstrom scored his eighth goal of the season just seven seconds later.
“When we went down two, we said let’s answer right away and it couldn’t have been quicker than that,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said.
Penn State received a power play at the 12:09 mark of the third period. The Lions got a quick shot on net off the faceoff. Wisconsin goalie Landon Peterson left a big rebound that freshman Casey Bailey jammed through the five hole to tie the game.
Heading into overtime, the Lions had one idea in mind – win.
With less than a minute left in the overtime, there was a faceoff in the Lions’ offensive zone. A shot bounced off of Peterson and wound up on Holstrom’s stick. The junior put the puck in the back of the net and started a celebration on Penn State’s bench.
“It popped right out to me and I shoved it home,” said Holstrom said.
Like the night before when the Lions lost 5-0, the first period saw no goals on Monday. But Penn State was more competitive in the first stanza Monday, as Wisconsin outshot the Nittany Lions 11-10 in the initial 20 minutes.
The Lions continued to match the Badgers’ pace in the second period, but as it wore on, Penn State got sloppier and resulted in the Badgers’ first goal.
One bright spot for the Lions was in between the pipes. Freshman Matt Skoff looked calm and relaxed amongst all the traffic in front of his cage. Skoff made 42 saves on the night.
“Skoffer kept us in it,” Holstrom said. “There were times when he dominated the game. He had back door saves, he was on fire.”
With the win, Penn State finishes its first Division I season with a 13-14-0 record.
“I am really happy for the seniors because this is such a great way for them to go out,” Gadowsky said while crediting the team’s grit.
