For the first time this season, Penn State men’s hockey is ranked.

The Nittany Lions check in at No. 20 in the latest USCHO Poll following a series sweep against Canisius this weekend.

Penn State dominated Canisius in its season opener on Friday night, defeating the Golden Griffins 5-2. The Nittany Lions followed suit the next evening, taking care of business in a 7-5 win to complete the sweep.

It’s unsurprising the Nittany Lions are now ranked, as they received 34 votes in USCHO’s Preseason rankings earlier this month.

Penn State is among five Big Ten teams that are ranked. It joins Minnesota (No. 2), Michigan (No. 6), Ohio State (No. 11), and Notre Dame (No. 14) in the rankings.

The Nittany Lions are scheduled to face Mercyhurst in a home-and-home series beginning on Thursday, October 13, with puck drop set for 7 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena. The latter of the games will begin at 7 p.m. the following night at Mercyhurst Ice Arena.

About the Author

Nolan Wick

Nolan wrote for Onward State from 2021 until 2025. He mainly covered Penn State football, men’s hockey, and baseball, and he was also an associate editor. A Silver Spring, Maryland, native, Nolan is an avid D.C. sports and Liverpool fan. You can follow him on Twitter @nolan_wick.

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