University Park, Pa. — October 17, 2025
For the third time this season, No. 6 Penn State rallied from a multi-goal deficit to win, grinding out a 5–4 overtime victory against LIU on Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena. Matt DiMarsico recorded his second hat trick of the year, while Aiden Fink buried the game-winner in overtime to cap off a wild back-and-forth contest.
Early Mistakes and a Slow Start
The Nittany Lions once again found themselves trailing early, giving up a deflection goal to LIU’s Garrett Valk just minutes in. The Sharks doubled their lead 55 seconds into the second period on a Nick Bernardo power-play strike, while Penn State’s power play struggled and their puck management remained sloppy.
“We’ve got to start with a sense of urgency right when the puck drops,” head coach Guy Gadowsky said afterward. “That’s our focus right now.”
Despite the early miscues, goalie Kevin Reidler kept Penn State in the game with several critical saves while the Lions searched for rhythm.
DiMarsico Line Sparks the Comeback
When Penn State needed a lift, its top line delivered again. Matt DiMarsico, Charlie Cerrato, and JJ Wiebusch—the nation’s top scoring trio—took control midway through the second period.
DiMarsico crashed the net to bury a rebound and cut the deficit to 2–1. LIU briefly regained a two-goal lead with a shorthanded tally, but DiMarsico responded again, scoring his second of the night before freshman defenseman Jackson Smith—a 2025 Columbus Blue Jackets first-round pick—scored his first collegiate goal on the power play to tie the game 3–3.
“I thought [Smith] was excellent,” Gadowsky said. “He had a really good stick defensively, and he’s such a beautiful skater—just a beautiful hockey player to watch.”
DiMarsico Completes the Hat Trick
Penn State opened the third period with a five-minute major power play after an LIU hit to the head, and DiMarsico made them pay, completing his hat trick with a wrist shot from the slot to give Penn State a 4–3 lead. LIU answered right after to tie the game once more.
DiMarsico became the first player in Penn State history to record multiple hat tricks in the same season.
“It feels really cool,” he said postgame, “but my linemates deserve a lot of credit. Charlie and JJ have been unbelievable—they make the game pretty easy.”
Gadowsky gave full praise to the chemistry between them. “I’d love to take credit for that line,” he joked, “but I can’t. That’s all them. They dig hard, and that’s why they’re having success.”
Fink’s Redemption in Overtime
After several clutch saves from Reidler kept the game even, Penn State’s two freshmen and Hobey Baker candidate sealed the deal in overtime. Gavin McKenna, Jackson Smith, and Aiden Fink combined for the winning play—McKenna dropped it to smith who made a perfect pass across the crease for Fink to tap home the winner, giving Penn State a 5–4 victory.
“Fink really deserved that,” Gadowsky said. “He worked hard on his game, kept his emotions in check, and focused on doing the right things. I was really happy to see him get rewarded.”
DiMarsico echoed that sentiment. “When you’re a Hobey Baker finalist like Fink, people are going to target you. He’s been getting hit a lot, but he’s stayed resilient. Seeing him score that OT goal was awesome.”
Young Core Maturing
McKenna, just 17 years old, continues to impress despite occasional hesitation to shoot. “There’s definitely a transition,” Gadowsky said. “He’s playing against 24-year-olds. But give him time—he’s handling it really well.”
Smith also reflected on his growth after moving from the CHL. “There’s a lot less time and space here,” he said. “Everyone’s older and stronger, but the guys on this team make it easier—they’re always in the right spot.”
Moving Forward
Even with the comeback win, Penn State’s slow starts remain a concern. The Lions have given up the opening goal in four of five games this season.
“We’re proud that we can come back,” Gadowsky said, “but we’d love to start with that same urgency. It’s a mentality thing now.”
The Nittany Lions will look to build off Friday’s dramatic win as they wrap up the series Saturday night against the Sharks.