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\t<\/p>\nWhen Dane Dowiak went down with a season-ending injury, Penn State men\u2019s hockey turned to Luke Misa to center the top line against No. 2-ranked Michigan.<\/p>\n
In Ann Arbor, Misa slotted between Gavin McKenna and Aiden Fink, taking on a bigger role immediately. Misa took 24 faceoffs in that game and won 12 of them, with several coming against Michigan\u2019s top faceoff man in T.J. Hughes.<\/p>\n
Through 28 games this season, Misa has recorded five goals and eight assists while winning 53.9% of his draws overall. One of those goals came in Penn State\u2019s 3-2 comeback win over Ohio State in its Big Ten opener, when Misa buried the game-winner in the third period.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the season, he played a part in three of Penn State\u2019s four goals in a 4-1 win over Notre Dame, finishing with a goal and two assists. Now the responsibility extends beyond the scoresheet. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s definitely one big thing, kind of getting to those dirty areas, doing some of the dirty work that [Dowiak] was doing,\u201d Misa said. \u201cGuys are gonna have to step up, and that\u2019s just how it is.\u201d<\/p>\n
With fewer forwards available, shift management has become a major part of the adjustment. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou know, we do still have four lines,\u201d Misa said. \u201cSo it\u2019s just being able to have quick shifts, just make sure everyone\u2019s rolling. I think it was kind of an adjustment from the first to second game at Michigan, just because we were down a couple of bodies. I think going into this weekend, we kind of have a plan of how we\u2019re going to roll the lines.\u201d<\/p>\n
With the lines beginning to take shape ahead of the Ohio State series, Misa is expected to center the top line once again, tasked with managing the middle of the ice and creating chances for his linemates.<\/p>\n
Ohio State has leaned into physical games throughout Big Ten play. The Buckeyes have played 12 one-goal games this season and are coming off a 3-2 win over No. 13 Wisconsin in which they blocked 15 shots and scored twice in the third period.<\/p>\n
That could mean more defensive-zone faceoffs and more tough matchups down the middle. Against Michigan, Misa split his 24 draws in his first game, centering the top unit, so this weekend, those added minutes shouldn\u2019t feel extra anymore.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s tough,\u201d Misa said. \u201cA lot of guys are injured, but I think we just got to stick to the way we play. It\u2019s definitely going to be a challenge. We\u2019re down bodies, but I think a lot of guys are going to be stepping up.\u201d<\/p>\n
With McKenna and Fink on either side, Misa isn\u2019t expected to carry the line; he just needs to stabilize it, win the necessary puck battles, and make his presence noticed in the middle of the ice.<\/p>\n
Faceoffs, particularly in the defensive zone, will also be crucial. Ohio State\u2019s top centers hover around the 50% mark in the circle, meaning if Misa can hold his own at the dot, it frees up McKenna and Fink to play faster in transition.<\/p>\n
Beyond the circle, Ohio State\u2019s physical play will test how quickly Penn State can get out of its own end. The Buckeyes have forced opponents into long defensive shifts all season, so when Misa gets his touches, they have to be quick and smart.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can play with any team in our conference,\u201d Misa said. \u201cIf we just tighten up a few things defensively, I feel like we\u2019re right there. Offensively, we\u2019re creating a ton.\u201d<\/p>\n
Misa has already handled the top-line responsibility against one of the best teams in the country and held his own. So with Dowiak out for the remainder of the season, the expectation for Misa isn\u2019t to replace everything Dowiak did, just to be reliable down the middle.<\/p>\n
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