# 2023–24 Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey season

The 2023–24 Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey season was the 18th season of play for the program and 11th in the Big Ten Conference. The Nittany Lions represented Penn State University in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, played their home games at Pegula Ice Arena and were coached by Guy Gadowsky in his 12th season.

## Season

In losing their top four scorers from the previous season, Penn State was looking for offense from new quarters. Despite this, the Nittany Lions looked good in the early part of the season when they opened with a 5–2 record in October. While a few cracks were shown on the defensive end, the good non conference record gave Penn State a solid foundation. Unfortunately, as soon as they started their Big Ten schedule, the flaws began to grow. Goaltending became an issue that would not go away thanks in large part due to the flagging play of Liam Soulière. The senior netminder couldn't keep the puck out of the net and saw his goals against average swell by nearly a full point. Backup Noah Grannan wasn't any better and the team had to contend with constantly needing to score goals. From the beginning of November until the end of February, Penn State allowed at least 3 goals against in 22 of 25 games. While the offense did get contributions from new quarters, particularly from freshman Aiden Fink, they weren't able to overcome the worst defense in the Big Ten.
Penn State ended the first half of the season with a winning record thanks entirely to its non-conference slate. After Christmas, with almost only Big Ten opponents remaining, the team sank below .500. The only saving grace for the Nittany Lions was a season sweep of Ohio State that prevented the club from finishing dead last in the conference. The struggles against conference opponents was not entirely unexpected as the Big Ten was one of the best leagues in '24, however, that didn't bode well for their postseason chances as the only way to reach the national tournament was to win a conference championship.
The first hurdle in their way was Minnesota and the game did not go in Penn State's favor. As they had over much of the second half of the season, the Lions could not generate enough offense against a strong team to overcome a poor performance in goal. The team fought back hard in the rematch and overcame a 2-goal deficit with a strong second period to tie the match. Penn State then outshot Minnesota 20–4 in the third but they could not get a further goal. Instead, with just over a minute remaining, Soulière surrendered the winning goal and Penn State's lackluster season came to an abrupt end.

## Departures

| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
| Ashton Calder | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Florida Everblades) |
| Ben Copeland | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Cleveland Monsters) |
| Paul DeNaples | Defenseman | United States | Graduation (signed with HC TPS) |
| Tyler Gratton | Forward | United States | Graduate transfer to Arizona State |
| Kenny Johnson | Defenseman | United States | Graduation (signed with Wheeling Nailers) |
| Ture Linden | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Ontario Reign) |
| Connor MacEachern | Forward | Canada | Graduation (signed with San Jose Barracuda) |
| Connor McMenamin | Forward | United States | Graduate transfer to Minnesota Duluth |
| Kevin Wall | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Milwaukee Admirals) |

## Recruiting

| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
| Casey Aman | Defenseman | United States | 20 | Johnstown, PA |
| Jacques Bouquot | Forward | United States | 23 | Columbus, OH; graduate transfer from Vermont |
| Matthew DiMarsico | Forward | United States | 19 | Wexford, PA |
| Dane Dowiak | Forward | United States | 21 | Wexford, PA |
| Aiden Fink | Forward | Canada | 18 | Calgary, AB; selected 218th overall in 2023 |
| Reese Laubach | Forward | United States | 19 | San Jose, CA; selected 217th overall in 2022 |
| Tanner Palocsik | Defenseman | United States | 24 | Aliquippa, PA; graduate transfer from Dartmouth |

## Roster

As of July 24, 2023.

## Standings

2023–24 Big Ten ice hockey Standingsvte :
| | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Conference record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record | Overall record |
| | GP | W | L | T | OTW | OTL | 3/SW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA |
| #5 Michigan State †* | 24 | 16 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 92 | 69 | 38 | 25 | 10 | 3 | 147 | 117 |
| #11 Wisconsin | 24 | 16 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 50 | 81 | 57 | 40 | 26 | 12 | 2 | 128 | 81 |
| #7 Minnesota | 24 | 13 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 80 | 65 | 39 | 23 | 11 | 5 | 135 | 100 |
| #4 Michigan | 24 | 11 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 85 | 77 | 41 | 23 | 15 | 3 | 169 | 125 |
| Notre Dame | 24 | 9 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 31 | 66 | 62 | 36 | 15 | 19 | 2 | 101 | 98 |
| Penn State | 24 | 7 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 62 | 92 | 36 | 15 | 18 | 3 | 113 | 130 |
| Ohio State | 24 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 50 | 94 | 38 | 14 | 20 | 4 | 100 | 124 |
| Championship: March 23, 2024 † indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated April 11, 2024 |||||||||||||||||||

## Schedule and results

| Date | Time | Opponent$^#$ | Rank$^#$ | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record |
| Regular Season ||||||||||
| October 7 | 7:30 pm | at LIU* | #16 | Northwell Health Ice Center • East Meadow, New York | ESPN+ | Soulière | W 3–2 | 1,862 | 1–0–0 |
| October 13 | 7:00 pm | at Clarkson* | #18 | Cheel Arena • Potsdam, New York | ESPN+ | Soulière | W 4–2 | 3,177 | 2–0–0 |
| October 14 | 7:00 pm | at St. Lawrence* | #18 | Appleton Arena • Canton, New York | ESPN+ | Soulière | W 4–1 | 1,223 | 3–0–0 |
| October 20 | 7:00 pm | American International* | #12 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Soulière | W 3–2 | 6,170 | 4–0–0 |
| October 21 | 5:07 pm | American International* | #12 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Grannan | L 4–6 | 6,318 | 4–1–0 |
| October 26 | 7:00 pm | Alaska Anchorage* | #15 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Grannan | W 2–1 | 6,127 | 5–1–0 |
| October 27 | 7:00 pm | Alaska Anchorage* | #15 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Soulière | L 5–6 | 6,365 | 5–2–0 |
| November 4 | 7:30 pm | Notre Dame | #17 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN+ | Grannan | T 3–3 $^{SOL}$ | 6,499 | 5–2–1 (0–0–1) |
| November 5 | 4:30 pm | Notre Dame | #17 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN | Soulière | T 2–2 $^{SOW}$ | 6,262 | 5–2–2 (0–0–2) |
| November 10 | 7:00 pm | at #11 Michigan State | #17 | Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan | BTN+ | Grannan | T 3–3 $^{SOW}$ | 6,200 | 5–2–3 (0–0–3) |
| November 11 | 4:00 pm | at #11 Michigan State | #17 | Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing, Michigan | BTN+ | Soulière | L 3–5 | 6,288 | 5–3–3 (0–1–3) |
| November 17 | 7:00 pm | at #12 Michigan | #18 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan | BTN+ | Grannan | L 4–6 | 5,800 | 5–4–3 (0–2–3) |
| November 18 | 7:00 pm | at #12 Michigan | #18 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan | BTN+ | Soulière | W 5–3 | 5,800 | 6–4–3 (1–2–3) |
| November 24 | 4:00 pm | Lindenwood* | #19 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Soulière | W 9–3 | 5,641 | 7–4–3 |
| November 25 | 4:00 pm | Lindenwood* | #19 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Grannan | W 7–1 | 5,802 | 8–4–3 |
| December 1 | 7:00 pm | #7 Minnesota | #18 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN+ | Soulière | L 1–4 | 6,300 | 8–5–3 (1–3–3) |
| December 2 | 6:00 pm | #7 Minnesota | #18 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN | Grannan | W 6–3 | 6,421 | 9–5–3 (2–3–3) |
| December 8 | 9:00 pm | at #6 Wisconsin | #17 | Kohl Center • Madison, Wisconsin | BTN | Grannan | L 3–6 | 7,470 | 9–6–3 (2–4–3) |
| December 9 | 8:00 pm | at #6 Wisconsin | #17 | Kohl Center • Madison, Wisconsin | BTN+ | Soulière | L 1–4 | 9,490 | 9–7–3 (2–5–3) |
| January 6 | 6:00 pm | Army* | #19 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | | Soulière | W 7–6 | 6,078 | 10–7–3 |
| January 12 | 7:00 pm | #8 Michigan State | #20 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN | Soulière | L 0–5 | 6,349 | 10–8–3 (2–6–3) |
| January 13 | 4:30 pm | #8 Michigan State | #20 | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN | Soulière | L 3–7 | 6,483 | 10–9–3 (2–7–3) |
| January 19 | 7:30 pm | at Notre Dame | | Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame, Indiana | Peacock | Grannan | L 1–4 | 5,151 | 10–10–3 (2–8–3) |
| January 20 | 6:00 pm | at Notre Dame | | Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame, Indiana | Peacock | Soulière | L 3–6 | 5,354 | 10–11–3 (2–9–3) |
| January 26 | 7:00 pm | Ohio State | | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN+ | Soulière | W 4–3 | 6,533 | 11–11–3 (3–9–3) |
| January 27 | 6:00 pm | Ohio State | | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN+ | Soulière | W 4–3 | 6,578 | 12–11–3 (4–9–3) |
| February 9 | 7:00 pm | at #8 Minnesota | | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | FS1 | Soulière | L 0–3 | 10,750 | 12–12–3 (4–10–3) |
| February 10 | 4:00 pm | at #8 Minnesota | | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota | BTN | Soulière | L 0–3 | 10,560 | 12–13–3 (4–11–3) |
| February 16 | 7:00 pm | #14 Michigan | | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN+ | Soulière | L 3–5 | 6,499 | 12–14–3 (4–12–3) |
| February 17 | 7:00 pm | #14 Michigan | | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN | Soulière | W 4–2 | 6,571 | 13–14–3 (5–12–3) |
| February 23 | 7:00 pm | #6 Wisconsin | | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN+ | Soulière | L 0–6 | 6,403 | 13–15–3 (5–13–3) |
| February 24 | 7:00 pm | #6 Wisconsin | | Pegula Ice Arena • University Park, Pennsylvania | BTN+ | Soulière | L 2–3 | 6,569 | 13–16–3 (5–16–3) |
| March 1 | 6:00 pm | at Ohio State | | Value City Arena • Columbus, Ohio | BTN | Soulière | W 5–2 | 6,275 | 14–16–3 (6–16–3) |
| March 2 | 5:00 pm | at Ohio State | | Value City Arena • Columbus, Ohio | BTN+ | Soulière | W 2–1 | 5,821 | 15–16–3 (7–16–3) |
| Big Ten Tournament ||||||||||
| March 8 | 7:00 pm | at #8 Minnesota* | | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Quarterfinal Game 1) | FS2 | Soulière | L 1–5 | 4,296 | 15–17–3 |
| March 9 | 4:30 pm | at #8 Minnesota* | | 3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis, Minnesota (Quarterfinal Game 2) | FS2 | Soulière | L 2–3 | 5,363 | 15–18–3 |
| *Non-conference game. $^#$Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time. Source: ||||||||||

## Scoring statistics

| Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
| Aiden Fink | RW | 34 | 15 | 19 | 34 | 27 |
| Danny Dzhaniyev | F | 33 | 9 | 20 | 29 | 6 |
| Jacques Bouquot | C/LW | 34 | 12 | 15 | 27 | 22 |
| Ryan Kirwan | LW | 36 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 10 |
| Matt DiMarsico | F | 35 | 7 | 19 | 26 | 18 |
| Reese Laubach | C | 35 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 48 |
| Simon Mack | D | 36 | 4 | 12 | 16 | 0 |
| Xander Lamppa | F | 35 | 3 | 13 | 16 | 40 |
| Tanner Palocsik | D | 36 | 2 | 14 | 16 | 8 |
| Dylan Lugris | F | 36 | 8 | 6 | 14 | 4 |
| Dylan Gratton | D | 36 | 3 | 10 | 13 | 26 |
| Jimmy Dowd | D | 28 | 2 | 11 | 13 | 26 |
| Dane Dowiak | C/LW | 31 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 24 |
| Tyler Paquette | C/RW | 27 | 6 | 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Jarod Crespo | D | 35 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 24 |
| Christian Sarlo | F | 25 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
| Chase McLane | C/RW | 17 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 11 |
| Alex Servagno | F | 30 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| Christian Berger | D | 30 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 |
| Casey Aman | D | 20 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Carson Dyck | F | 30 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 16 |
| Noah Grannan | G | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carter Schade | D | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Liam Soulière | G | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | | | 113 | 197 | 310 | 331 |

## Goaltending statistics

| Name | Games | Minutes | Wins | Losses | Ties | Goals Against | Saves | Shut Outs | SV % | GAA |
| Noah Grannan | 11 | 523:08 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 29 | 223 | 0 | .885 | 3.33 |
| Liam Soulière | 29 | 1631:01 | 12 | 14 | 1 | 92 | 637 | 0 | .874 | 3.38 |
| Empty Net | - | 23:25 | - | - | - | 9 | - | - | - | - |
| Total | 36 | 2177:34 | 15 | 18 | 3 | 130 | 860 | 0 | .869 | 3.58 |

## Rankings

| Poll | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 (Final) |
| USCHO.com | 16 | 18 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 19 | – | 19 | 20 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | – | NR |
| USA Hockey | 16 | 17 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 18 | 18 | – | 19 | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 or 25. Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.

## Awards and honors

| Player | Award | Ref |
| Aiden Fink | Big Ten Freshman Team | |