![](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774604956_948_Onward-State-Lion-2.png\")
\t<\/p>\nPenn State men\u2019s hockey is back in the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four years. <\/p>\n
Just a season ago, the Nittany Lions made a run to the Frozen Four that shocked the college hockey world. <\/p>\n
Now, they\u2019re back again with another opportunity in front of them. The difference? This year, the return to the tournament in itself doesn\u2019t feel like an accomplishment without a national championship to show for it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing here three times means nothing if we don\u2019t do that,\u201d senior alternate captain Jarod Crespo said.<\/p>\n
Head coach Guy Gadowsky said that mindset didn\u2019t just appear overnight.<\/p>\n
Penn State has dealt with significant injuries, including losing captain Dane Dowiak and Nick Fascia for the year, while also navigating stretches without Charlie Cerrato and Braedon Ford. <\/p>\n
At the same time, the program has taken on a new level of attention. Projected No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna is bringing a bigger spotlight to a program already building momentum after its first-ever trip to the Frozen Four.<\/p>\n
Combined with the level of talent on the roster, the expectations surrounding the group have only grown.<\/p>\n
\u201cWell, being here at the NCAA [Tournament], that\u2019s the goal,\u201d Gadowsky said. \u201cBut the leadership that was required this year was essential.\u201d<\/p>\n
That leadership, he said, has been shaped over time. Over the last few seasons, Penn State\u2019s leadership groups have built off each other as the program has continued to take significant steps forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery leadership group sort of learns from the one before,\u201d Gadowsky said. \u201cIt\u2019s been really interesting watching the evolution of the leadership groups.\u201d<\/p>\n
What the growth has created is a team that holds itself accountable, even when the coaches aren\u2019t in the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s way more important what happens when the coach leaves the locker room than when he\u2019s in it. And these guys did an exceptional job,\u201d Gadowsky said.<\/p>\n
Penn State\u2019s veterans are using their years of prior experience to help guide the group, having been through both a deep postseason run and missed opportunities.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think you could take little things from each team that we had here in those three years,\u201d Crespo said. \u201cAnd when you look at the roster we have this year, it\u2019s just so high-end.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even the newer guys bring experience of their own, with players like McKenna, Jackson Smith, Josh Fleming, Luke Misa, Shea Van Olm, Lev Katzin, and Nolan Collins all coming from the CHL. They\u2019re already familiar with high-pressure environments.<\/p>\n
With a core that\u2019s seen both sides and a group of newcomers who bring high-level experience, the team has a clear understanding of what it takes to compete for a national championship.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we stick to the values that we\u2019ve learned from those years prior and put that into the rosters we have, I think we\u2019re a really tough team to beat,\u201d Crespo said. \u201cAnd we got a really good chance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Even with the high expectations, the focus inside the locker room has stayed simple.<\/p>\n
\u201cDown to single-elimination games now against the top 16 teams in the country,\u201d alternate captain Reese Laubach said. \u201cSo I think that\u2019s what our focus is on, just really focusing on the one game ahead of us right now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Penn State\u2019s approach will be tested right away against the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs, a team known for its strong special teams, with both its power play and penalty kill ranking among the top three in the country.<\/p>\n
That makes discipline a priority, as Penn State will look to stay out of the penalty box and avoid giving Minnesota-Duluth any extra opportunities.<\/p>\n
With years of experience and strong leadership throughout the locker room, Penn State believes it has what it takes to live up to the high expectations put on it.<\/p>\n
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