MSU Tops Penn State Outdoors

Charlie Stramel capped his first career collegiate hat trick with the game-winning goal in overtime as No. 2 Michigan State defeated fifth-ranked host Penn State, 5-4, before 74,575 spectators at Beaver Stadium this afternoon. MSU is now 3-2-1 in outdoor contests since the original Cold War was contested back in 2001.

Stramel scored just over three minutes into the extra session at the home of Penn State football, after the Spartans had battled back from 3-2 and 4-3 deficits in regulation. He also recorded an assist to go with his three goals, while linemates Porter Martone and Daniel Russell also finished with four points apiece. Trey Augustine made 31 saves for MSU (21-5-0 overall, 12-4-0 Big Ten), which swept its weekend Big Ten series with PSU following a 6-3 win at Pegula Ice Arena on Friday night. The Spartans have also won six straight games overall, and 10 of their last 11 outings.

Aidan Fink scored twice for Penn State (18-8-0, 10-6-0), while Dane Dowiak set up three goals for the Nittany Lions, who got 35 stops in net from Kevin Reider. MSU outshot PSU, 40-35, on the day, and also went 1-for-2 on the power play, with Stramel supplying that goal. The Spartans will now face No 1 Michigan twice next weekend, including the annual "Duel in the D" matchup in Detroit, while PSU is off until playing at Michigan on Feb. 13-14. 

Penn State to Host Outdoor Games in January

Outdoor hockey is coming to Hockey Valley early next year.

NCAA hockey will move outside for a doubleheader on Jan. 31, 2026 at historic Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. The Penn State University men's team will entertain Big Ten rival Michigan State, while the Nittany Lions women's team will face Atlantic Hockey America opponent Robert Morris. Game times will be announced at a future date.

The PSU men's team went 22-14-4 overall last season, won the Allentown regional, and advanced to its first-ever NCAA Frozen Four. The PSU women went 31-6-1 last year, claimed their third straight AHA title, and also made the NCAAs for the third consecutive campaign.