Michigan
11-3-0, 4-2-0
Penn State
10-4-0, 3-3-0
Michigan Settles for Split in Loss at No. 5 Penn State
11/15/2025 9:37:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Will Horcoff extended his nationwide goal-scoring lead with his 13th of the year.
» Jayden Perron scored his fifth tally as a Wolverine to cut Penn State's lead to one late.
» Michigan finished the weekend with a perfect 5-for-5 mark on the penalty kill.
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- Two late goals by the No. 2-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team were not enough to complete the comeback in a 4-2 loss to No. 5 Penn State on Saturday evening (Nov. 15) at Pegula Ice Arena.
The third-period tallies from Jayden Perron and Will Horcoff gave Michigan (11-3-0, 4-2-0 Big Ten) life in the final minutes after the Wolverines were held scoreless for the first 50 minutes. Penalty-kill units on both sides were sharp, as U-M held Penn State to five shots and no goals on three power plays while going 0-for-4 on its own chances.
First-year goalie Jack Ivankovic was tested early, turning aside two dangerous chances just 90 seconds into the game. He finished with 27 saves on 30 shots while taking his third loss of the season.
Michigan nearly opened the scoring several minutes into the second period when a rebound from Cole McKinney slid just wide of the post. McKinney was assessed a minor at the end of his shift, but U-M killed off the penalty to move to 3-for-3 on the night and 5-for-5 on the weekend.
Penn State (10-4-0, 3-3-0 Big Ten) broke through nine minutes into the second period, burying a rebound from the bottom of the left circle. Michigan went to the power play at 10:33 and soon earned a 5-on-3 opportunity, generating four shots — including one off the post — but could not convert.
The Nittany Lions doubled their lead with 1:06 remaining in the middle frame.
Early in the third, Adam Valentini rang a shot off the bar, but Penn State countered immediately and scored on an odd-man rush at 8:27 to go up 3-0.
Michigan answered at 9:59 when Will Horcoff redirected a point shot from Luca Fantilli for his NCAA-leading 13th goal of the season. Alternate captain Tyler Duke earned the secondary assist.
The Wolverines had another chance to close the gap with a power play at 11:38 but were unable to score. U-M made it 3-2 with 3:48 left on a strong individual sequence from Jayden Perron after T.J. Hughes protected the puck along the wall. Nick Moldenhauer collected the secondary assist.
U-M generated several late looks but could not find the equalizer. With the goalie pulled for the final 65 seconds, Penn State sealed the result with an empty-net goal at 19:54.
The Wolverines outshot the Nittany Lions 34-31 but came up short on key chances and settled for a series split.
Michigan returns home next weekend for a pair of Big Ten matchups against Ohio State on Friday and Saturday (Nov. 21-22) at Yost Ice Arena. Both games are scheduled for 7 p.m. and will stream live on B1G+.
