7:30 p.m. Friday (BTN), 5:30 p.m. Saturday (BTN)
Radio: 103.5-FM, 1130-AM
Big Ten lead is on the line
Gophers at a glance: Minnesota (14-11-5, 9-6-5-4 Big Ten) is coming off a five-point weekend at Notre Dame and enters this series tied for the conference lead with Penn State. The Gophers, however, have four conference games remaining, while the Nittany Lions have two. Coach Bob Motzko's team could clinch the regular-season championship with a sweep, two or fewer points by Michigan against Notre Dame and a split between Michigan State and Ohio State. … Sophomore forward Blake McLaughlin had a three-point weekend against Notre Dame, including the winning goal Saturday. Sophomore forward Sammy Walker leads the Gophers with 27 points on 10 goals and 17 assists. Senior defenseman and captain Tyler Nanne missed Saturday's game after ramming a shoulder into the boards on Friday. Motzko expects Nanne to be ready to play.
Nittany Lions at a glance: Penn State (19-10-3, 11-8-3) began the season with a 10-2 surge but is 3-4-3 in its past 10 conference games. The Nittany Lions have scored four or more goals only twice in that span after averaging 4.6 through November. Senior forward Nate Sucese (10-25-35) is tied for 10th nationally in scoring while junior forwards Evan Barratt (11-22-33) and Alex Limoges (11-21-32) are close behind.
Randy Johnson
