In a program that’s built its identity on pace and relentless forechecking, few lines have embodied Penn State hockey’s culture quite like the combination of Matt DiMarsico, Charlie Cerrato, and JJ Wiebusch. Over the past two seasons, this trio has evolved from a promising experiment into one of the most productive and cohesive lines in college hockey. Not only do they fill the scoresheet, but they dictate the rhythm of the game every time they hit the ice.
Last season, the three combined for 107 points, helping drive the Nittany Lions’ deep postseason run. With DiMarsico’s 17 goals, Cerrato’s 27 assists, and Wiebusch’s 33 points, the line quietly put everyone on notice. Their chemistry carried into this fall, where they’ve exploded out of the gate. Cerrato already piling up 11 points through four games (Leading the country), Wiebusch earning Big Ten First Star honors after a five-goal weekend (Four in one game), and DiMarsico adding five points of his own.
What makes them click isn’t just skill, but balance. Cerrato is the central engine, the playmaker who sees passing lanes a second before anyone else. DiMarsico brings the scoring touch, finding soft spots in coverage and burying pucks with precision. Wiebusch complements them with a gritty, north-south style, winning board battles and turning rebounds into points. It is the traditional formula of hockey: one creator, one sniper, one grinder and all three can perform any of these jobs at any time.
That chemistry was forged through pressure. When the Nittany Lions were struggling most of last season and on the final stretch last spring, the line caught fire, combining for 17 goals in the final eight games. When their NCAA Regional Final reached overtime, they came up big with a silky behind the pass from Cerrato to Dimarisco who put the game away. This cemented their reputation as big-moment performers. They weren’t just contributing; they were deciding games.
Since then, that momentum hasn’t slowed. In their first two games against Arizona State, the line combined for 11 points in two statement wins. Even in tight losses, like the 6-4 upset to Clarkson, their shifts have tilted the ice, constantly generating offensive-zone pressure and high-danger looks. They’ve reached a point where their chemistry feels instinctive.
Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky praised the group’s consistency, calling them “a line that can play any matchup, any situation.” That versatility has given the Lions an edge few teams can match. When opponents lock in on Penn State’s top line of Gavin McKenna and Aiden Fink, this trio punish the second pairing. When games tighten late, they’re still producing.
If they continue this trajectory, the DiMarsico-Cerrato-Wiebusch trio could go down as one of the most prolific combinations in Penn State history — and perhaps the spark that leads the Nittany Lions to a National Championship.
.png){kind=spacer}