Guy Gadowsky, Gavin McKenna Preview Penn State Men's Hockey's Top-5 Matchup at Michigan State
Following a road sweep against Ohio State, No. 3 Penn State men's hockey will face another ranked opponent this weekend. The Nittany Lions are set to travel to East Lansing for a challenging game at Michigan State, known for its daunting road atmosphere in college hockey.
Media Discussion Ahead of the Series
Head coach Guy Gadowsky and forward Gavin McKenna spoke with the media on Monday afternoon, sharing insights about the upcoming top-five clash.
Playing Without Forward Aiden Fink
Penn State’s forward Aiden Fink, a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award last season, suffered an upper body injury during the game against the Buckeyes last Thursday and missed the following game on Friday.
“He has an upper body injury. He will be out for the foreseeable future,” Gadowsky said.
Though there’s no precise timeline for his return, Gadowsky anticipates Fink might be back around Christmas.
Team Adjustments and Expectations
In Fink’s absence, the team will continue with the same rotation used on Friday but remain prepared to make changes as needed. McKenna emphasized the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in the team.
“It’s going to suck without him in the lineup, but we know guys are going to step up,” McKenna said. “It’s a big role to fill, so guys are going to be working hard for it, and I’m going to make sure I’m doing my job.”
The team is focused on adapting and maintaining strong performance despite the setback.
Author's summary: Penn State men's hockey prepares for a tough road game against Michigan State while adapting to the absence of key forward Aiden Fink due to injury.