Michigan hockey set to host Penn State in Big Ten tournament quarterfinal

The Big Ten men’s hockey tournament begins this weekend, and Michigan (18-13-3) comes in as the No. 4 seed. For the first time in Big Ten hockey history, two teams shared the regular season conference championship: Michigan State and Minnesota. The Spartans were awarded the No. 1 seed with a tiebreaker. 

The tournament champion will automatically punch a ticket to the NCAA tournament.

Michigan to host Penn State in Big Ten tournament quarterfinal

The Wolverines finished the season with a series against Ohio State last week, going 1-0-1 to secure home-ice in the first round. Michigan is set to welcome No. 5 seed Penn State (18-12-4) for a best-of-three series March 7-9. 

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The #B1GHockey Tournament bracket is set.

— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) March 2, 2025

Michigan forwards Michael Hage and T.J. Hughes both average over a point per game (1.06), which puts them in the top 33 in the nation. Fellow forward Evan Werner is third on the team in points with 22 (11g, 11a).

In overtime games against Big Ten opponents, the Wolverines are 7-1, with their only such loss coming against the Buckeyes Thursday (2-1). Werner said Michigan knows how to flip a switch when a game goes past three periods.

“I think we’re just confident when we go into overtime,” Werner said last week. “Obviously we’d like to keep the games in regulation and get those extra points, but when we go into overtime or a shootout I think our skill and abilities come out and we’re able to get it done.”

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Michigan went 3-1 against Penn State in the regular season and outscored it 27-19. The lone Nittany Lion win over the Wolverines came on the road (5-4) on Jan. 31.

Coming out of the quarterfinals, the lowest-seeded team will travel to Michigan State, and the middle-seeded teams will play each other with the higher seed hosting.

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