COLLEGE HOCKEY: NOTRE DAME AT NO. 18 PENN STATE

By JOHN FINERAN

With six Big Ten Conference hockey games remaining in the regular season, Notre Dame flies east to No. 18 Penn State, one of the league’s hottest teams at the moment, to try and build some momentum for a postseason tournament run.

WHEN: Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m.

WHERE: Pegula Ice Arena (5,704), State College, Pa.

RADIO: WSBT-AM (960), WSBT-FM (96.1) and UND.com (Tyler Reidy).

TV/STREAMING: B1G+

SCOUTING THE FIGHTING IRISH: Notre Dame is 9-18-1 overall and 3-14-1 for 11 points and seventh place in the Big Ten. … Since New Year’s Day, Irish are 3-6-1 (shootout win) with the three victories coming on Saturday nights (7-4 vs. Michigan Jan. 11, 4-3 OT win at Minnesota Jan. 18 and 4-2 vs. Lindenwood Jan. 25). … Sophomore center Cole Knuble continues to lead team in scoring with 9 goals and team-high 19 assists for 28 points in 24 games. … Sophomore center Danny Nelson leads team with 11 goals (11-9-20), one more goal than senior forward Justin Janicke (10-14-24) and graduate right wing Blake Biondi (10-10-20). .. Five of Biondi’s goals have come on power plays, one more than Janicke and two more than Nelson. … Others scoring in double figures are sophomore defenseman Paul Fischer (2-15-17), junior defenseman Axel Kumlin (4-12-16), sophomore left wing Brennan Ali (5-11-16), senior center Hunter Strand (6-5-11) and junior defenseman Michael Mastrodomenico (3-7-10). … Nelson is sixth nationally in faceoff wins with 345 (against 256 losses for a .574 percentage). … Strand (203-173, .540 percentage) and Knuble (160-137, .539) are next. … Graduate defenseman Zach Plucinski leads team in blocked shots with 42, one more than Fischer and six ahead of sophomore defenseman Henry Nelson. … Goaltending duties have been shared by junior Owen Say (2.87 goals-against average, .917 saves percentage, 7-10-0 record) and freshman Nicholas Kempf (3.60 goals-against average, .897 saves percentage, 2-8-1 record). … Irish are averaging 29.07 shots per game and surrendering 35.00 shots per game. … The last time Notre Dame and Penn State met on Jan. 3 and 5, Danny Nelson and Fischer were representing the gold-medal United States team in the World Juniors Championship game in Ottawa, Canada, winning 4-3 in overtime against Finland on Jan. 5. … Also part of Team USA’s staff as team services director was Jessica Thibeault, Notre Dame’s director of hockey operations.

NCAA statistics (through Tuesday’s games): Scoring offense, 2.68 goals per game (41st); scoring defense, 3.32 goals per game (58th); scoring margin, -0.64 goals per game (48th); power-play percentage, 0.222 (18 of 81) (21st); penalty-kill percentage, 0.786 (66 of 84) (41st); faceoff-win percentage, 0.528 (922-824) (16th); penalty minutes per game, 9.25 (33rd).

Coach: Jeff Jackson, who owns two degrees from Michigan State, is 416-284-74 in his 20th season at Notre Dame with NCAA Frozen Four appearances in 2008, 2011, 2017 and 2018 and eight conference titles. … His 598-336-99 overall record includes a 182-52-25 record in six seasons at Lake Superior State where his teams won national championships in 1992 and 1994 and finished runner-up in 1993. … Jackson also was the first coach and senior director of the United States National Team Development Program when it was formed in 1996, leading Team USA to the silver medal at the 1997 World Junior Championships, then the team’s best finish ever.

SCOUTING THE NITTANY LIONS: Penn State is 14-11-3 overall and 5-10-3 for 20 points and sixth place in the Big Ten but ranked No. 18 nationally. … Since Jan. 1, Nittany Lions are 7-2-3, and even better, they are 6-1-2 in their last nine games, with the two ties resulting in shootout wins and the only loss a 7-3 setback Feb. 1 at Michigan. … Coincidentally those are the records of goaltender Arsenii Sergeev, a junior transfer from Connecticut since his return from a November injury. … The 6-foot-4 Sergeev has a 2.71 goals-against average, a .920 saves percentage and three shutouts during that stretch and now is 11-6-3 overall with a 2.56 goals-against average, a .916 saves percentage and four shutouts (a school season record). … … Sergeev was honored as Big Ten First Star of the Week for his play last weekend in sweep at Wisconsin, stopping 25 shots in 2-0 Friday shutout (his fourth of the season) and making 39 saves (including 22 in second period) in 6-2 Saturday victory. … It was the second time this season Sergeev received Big Ten First Star honors – the first time was after his performances against Notre Dame (see below). … … Sophomore center Reese Laubach received Big Ten Third Star honors after scoring three goals (including the game-winners in both games) and one assist in the sweep of the Badgers. … Laubach (13-12-25) centers a line that includes team leading scorer, sophomore right wing Aiden Fink (21-20-41), and senior left wing Danny Dzhaniyev (9-15-24). … Freshman center Charlie Cerrato (12-13-25) skates with sophomore left wing Matt DiMarsico (9-11-20) and freshman right wing JJ Wiebusch (5-14-19). … Senior defenseman Simon Mack (1-19-20) anchors the defense. … Nittany Lions lead the nation in faceoff-win percentage (0.554) led by Cerrato (261-181, 0.590), sophomore left wing Dane Dowiak (214-147, 0.593), freshman center Keaton Peters (168-144, 0.538) and Laubach (107-106, .502). … Four defensemen lead team in blocked shots – freshman Cade Christenson (46) followed by Mack (37), junior Carter Schade (36) and junior Jarod Crespo (35). … When outshooting opponents, Penn State (32.61 shots per game) is 10-5-1 and the Nittany Lions are 11-4-1 when scoring first.

NCAA statistics (through Tuesday’s games): Scoring offense, 3.43 goals per game (9th); scoring defense, 3.07 goals per game (42nd); scoring margin, 0.36 goals per game (25th); power-play percentage, 0.210 (22 of 105) (30th); penalty-kill percentage, 0.794 (85 of 107) (37th); faceoff win percentage, 0.554 (977-785) (1st); penalty minutes per game, 9.96 (21st).

Coach: Guy Gadowsky, a graduate of Colorado College, is 223-197-31 in his 13th season at Penn State. … He is 396-395-68 in 24 seasons overall with stops at Alaska and Princeton. … His son Mac Gadowsky is a sophomore defenseman at Army and leads the Black Knights of the Hudson in scoring with 11 goals and 20 assists for 31 points. … When Penn State and Army met Dec. 12 at the Capital Hockey Classic in Washington, D.C., father’s team beat son’s team, 4-1.

QUOTING IRISH COACH JEFF JACKSON

(Penn State goalie Sergeev) “I know he has been a big part of their play. When he got back (from a November injury) that’s when things started back in the right direction for them. He has been a stabilizing force for them, no question about it.

(Penn State’s volume of shots) “You have to defend well, that’s where it starts. If you possess the puck more, it definitely helps. We need to play a puck-possession type of game as much as possible, try not to turn pucks over. It also depends on your defensive game in transition. They are also pretty effective in the offensive zone. They get pucks on net. They shoot pucks from a lot of different angles. You have to be sure to protect the front of the net area. Then you also have to make sure on any rebounds or pucks that going into the corner that you get to possession first … to deny them getting those second and third opportunities.”

(The games earlier this season at Wrigley Field and Notre Dame) “I didn’t think we played great when we played home that weekend. We had some good looks (at Sergeev) but we didn’t finish (in the shutout). I actually think they’ve changed their game a little bit. I think they are a little more focused on their defensive game, a little more in control. They aren’t giving up as much as they used to give up because they used to play a little more high-risk, but I don’t see that in them anymore. I think they are playing a more serious two-way game. They are still good offensively, but they are doing a better job of eliminating other teams getting opportunities from them being overly aggressive. They’ve got some good skill players, no question.”

(Notre Dame’s play) “If you’re winning, you build confidence. When you’re not winning, you second-guess yourself. You start making mistakes because you’re trying to do too much to help your team win. It isn’t something that’s necessarily selfish as it is trying to overdue things. That magnifies the problem sometimes because you have some guys trying to make plays that maybe aren’t there because they are trying to force things. And that’s what happens when you don’t win on a regular basis. If you’re winning, you’re not pressed to make those kind of choices. It’s a mental thing and tough thing to break. For me, it’s a matter of staying focused, staying in the moment, not worry about what happened last week and not worry about what’s going to happen next week. It’s about trying to stay in the moment and trying to do that for the entire 60 minutes of a hockey game. It’s confidence. We’re fragile. When things don’t go our way, we don’t necessarily respond to it in a positive way … and you force things. And that sometimes gets you in more trouble.”

(The frustrations) “It’s hard going through this. If the kids were getting negative or acting out or whatever because of a lack of success, it would be a different thing. But they are not. These guys come to work every day. They practice hard; they do care. They are serious about what they are doing. They are no different than the coaches.”

THE RIVALRY: Notre Dame leads 24-10-7 in the series which began in 1984-85 season with 4-4 overtime tie Feb. 10 and 6-1 victory Feb. 11 at State College. … In games played at State College, Irish are 9-4-5 after teams tied twice but split shootout victories last season. … This year’s recaps:

Notre Dame 3, Penn State 3 (OT) (Notre Dame wins shootout 2-1) (Jan. 3): In the second game of the first “Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey” doubleheader witnessed by 25,709 at Wrigley Field, senior defenseman Ryan Helliwell gave the Irish a 2-1 shootout victory in the eighth round when he slid a backhander past Arsenii Sergeev. The successful shot came after Hunter Strand tied the shootout in the second round. … During regulation, the Irish led 2-1 after the first period after goals by Grant Silianoff and Justin Janicke sandwiched Tyler Paquette’s goal for Penn State. Matt DiMarsico of the Nittany Lions then scored the only goal of the second period at 19:28 to tie the contest. Aiden Fink gave Penn State a 3-2 lead 10 seconds into the third period, but Notre Dame’s Carter Slaggert scored at 11:02 of the third period and the game went into overtime tied at 3-3. … The Irish outshot the Nittany Lions 46-42. … Sergeev made 43 saves, three more than Irish freshman netminder Nicholas Kempf, who then stopped seven of eight shootout attempts by Penn State.

Penn State 3, Notre Dame 0 (Jan. 5): At South Bend, junior goaltender Arsenii Sergeev made 34 saves to record his second shutout of the season and got offensive support from goal scorers Charlie Cerrato, who scored twice, and Danny Dzhaniyev. … Junior Owen Say made 33 saves for the Irish.

LAST TIMES OUT: Coming off an idle weekend, Notre Dame managed just two goals while being swept at home by No. 9 Ohio State which captured a pair of 5-1 victories. ;;; Penn State completed its second straight weekend away from home with a 2-0, 6-2 sweep at Wisconsin. … The recaps:

Ohio State 5, Notre Dame 1 (Feb. 7): Graduate right wing Blake Biondi’s 10th goal of the season gave Irish a 1-0 lead on the power play at 17:31 of the first period, but the Buckeyes tied it 48 seconds later and then scored two goals in each of the final two periods. … Irish goaltender Owen Say stopped 27 shots, the same as Ohio State goalie Logan Terness.

Ohio State 5, Notre Dame 1 (Feb. 8): Danny Nelson scored his team-high 11th goal to give the Irish a 1-0 lead during an early 10-3 shot barrage. … But the Buckeyes tied it late in the first period and then scored twice in the second period and twice more in the third for the weekend sweep. … Irish outshot Buckeyes 42-30 but OSU goalie Logan Terness made 41 saves, including 18 in the first period. … Irish netminder Nicholas Kempf finished with 25 saves.

Penn State 2, Wisconsin 0 (Feb. 7): Reese Laubach gave the Nittany Lions a 1-0 lead in the first period and then Aiden Fink scored an empty-net goal at 19:15 of the third period as Arsenii Sergeev made 25 saves to set a school single-season record with his fourth shutout.

Penn State 6, Wisconsin 2 (Feb. 8): Leading 2-1 heading into the final period on goals by Cade Christenson and Reese Laubach, the Nittany Lions iced the game with four goals by Laubach, Matt DiMarsico, Charlie Cerrato and Aiden Fink. … Arsenii Sergeev picked up the victory with 39 saves.

BIG TEN STANDINGS AND SCHEDULE: (Numbers in parentheses before school are its standings in this week’s USCHO.com media poll, this week’s USA Hockey-The Rink Live coaches poll and current PairWise rating prior to game)

1. (2/2/2) Michigan State 13-4-3, 43 points (22-5-3 overall, 107 GF, 61 GA)
2. (4/3/3) Minnesota 12-4-2, 38 points (21-6-3 overall, 121 GF, 71 GA)
3. (8/8/8) Ohio State 11-6-1, 34 points (18-8-2 overall, 93 GF, 65 GA)
4. (12/12/12) Michigan 10-9-1, 28 points (16-12-2 overall, 95 GF, 98 GA)
5. (rv/rv/22) Wisconsin 6-13-1, 24 points (11-16-3 overall, 89 GF, 86 GA)
6. (18/18/16) Penn State 5-10-3, 20 points (14-11-3 overall, 96 GF, 86 GA)
7. (nr/nr/45) Notre Dame 3-14-1, 11 points (9-18-1 overall, 75 GF, 93 GA)

Friday, Feb. 14: Notre Dame at Penn State, 7 p.m.; Minnesota at Michigan, 7 p.m.; Wisconsin at Ohio State, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 15: Notre Dame at Penn State, 5 p.m.; Minnesota at Michigan, 6 p.m.; Wisconsin at Ohio State, 8:30 p.m.

Friday, Feb. 21: Notre Dame at Wisconsin, 8:30 p.m.; Penn State at Michigan State, 6 p.m.; Ohio State at Minnesota, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 22: Notre Dame at Wisconsin, 8:30 p.m.; Penn State at Michigan State, 6 p.m.; Ohio State at Minnesota, 6 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 27: Michigan at Ohio State, 8 p.m.Friday, Feb. 28: Michigan State at Notre Dame, 7:05 p.m.; Michigan at Ohio State, 6 p.m.; Minnesota at Penn State, 8:30 p.m.

Saturday, March 1: Michigan State at Notre Dame, 6:05 p.m.; Minnesota at Penn State, 8 p.m.

Sunday, March 2: U.S. Under-18 Team at Wisconsin, 7 p.m. (exhibition)

Friday-Sunday, March 7-9: Big Ten Tournament best-of-three quarterfinal series (Seventh place at Second place; Sixth place at Third place; Fifth place at Fourth place)

Saturday, March 15: Big Ten Tournament semifinals (single elimination)

Saturday, March 22: Big Ten Tournament championship (single elimination)

NCAA TOURNAMENT

Sunday, March 23: Bracket announcement

Thursday-Sunday, March 27-30: Northeast Regional at Manchester, N.H. (SNHU Arena); East Regional at Allentown, Pa. (PPL Center); Midwest Regional at Toledo, Ohio (Huntington Center); West Regional at Fargo, N.D. (Scheel Arena)

Thursday, April 10: NCAA Frozen Four semifinals at St. Louis (Enterprise Center)

Saturday, April 12: NCAA Frozen Four championship at St. Louis (Enterprise Center)

RESULTS AND SCHEDULE FOR USCHO.com MEDIA POLL TEAMS AND OTHERS

1. Boston College (Hockey East) (21-5-1) vs. No. 16 Massachusetts Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 16 Massachusetts; Friday, Feb. 21 at Vermont; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Vermont; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. New Hampshire; Saturday, March 1 at New Hampshire; Saturday, March 9 vs. Merrimack. Earlier this week: Lost 4-1 to No. 9 Boston University Monday in Beanpot championship game at Boston (TD Garden).
2. Michigan State (Big Ten) (22-5-3) is idle this week. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 18 Penn State; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 18 Penn State; Friday, Feb. 28 at Notre Dame; Saturday, March 1 at Notre Dame.
3. Western Michigan (NCHC) (20-5-1) vs. No. 20 Omaha Friday. Next: Saturday vs. No. 20 Omaha; Friday, Feb. 21 at No. 10 Arizona State; Saturday, Feb. 22 at No. 10 Arizona State; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. No. 17 North Dakota; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 17 North Dakota; Friday, March 7 at Miami; Saturday,, March 8 at Miami.
4. Minnesota (Big Ten) (21-6-3) at No. 12 Michigan Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 12 Michigan; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 8 Ohio State; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 8 Ohio State; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 18 Penn State; Saturday, March 1 at No. 18 Penn State.
5. Maine (Hockey East) (18-5-4) vs. New Hampshire Friday. Next: Saturday vs. New Hampshire; Friday, Feb. 21 at No. 11 Connecticut; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Vermont; Saturday, March 1 vs. Vermont; Friday, March 7 at No. 16 Massachusetts; Saturday, March 8 at No. 16 Massachusetts.
6. Denver (NCHC) (20-7-1) vs. No. 17 North Dakota Friday. Next: Saturday vs. No. 17 North Dakota; Friday, Feb. 21 at Miami; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Miami; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. St. Cloud State; Saturday, March 1 vs. St. Cloud State; Friday, March 7 vs. No. 19 Colorado College; Saturday, March 8 at No. 19 Colorado College.
7. Providence (Hockey East) (16-7-5) vs. No. 9 Boston University Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 9 Boston University; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 13 UMass Lowell; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Merrimack; Saturday, March 1 at Merrimack; Thursday, March 6 at No. 9 Boston University; Saturday, March 8 at Northeastern.
8. Ohio State (Big Ten) (18-8-2) vs. Wisconsin Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Wisconsin; Friday, Feb. 21 at No. 4 Minnesota; Saturday, Feb. 22 at No. 4 Minnesota; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. No. 12 Michigan; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 12 Michigan.
9. Boston University (Hockey East) (16-10-1) at No. 7 Providence Friday. Next: Saturday vs. No. 7 Providence; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Northeastern; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Northeastern; Tuesday, Feb. 25 at No. 11 Connecticut; Thursday, March 6 vs. No. 7 Providence; Saturday, March 8 at Vermont. Earlier this week: Beat No. 1 Boston College 4-1 Monday in Beanpot championship game at Boston (TD Garden).
10. Arizona State (NCHC) (17-10-1) at Minnesota Duluth Friday. Next: Saturday at Minnesota Duluth; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 3 Western Michigan; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 3 Western Michigan; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 20 Omaha; Saturday, March 1 at No. 20 Omaha.
11. Connecticut (Hockey East) (15-10-3) vs. Alaska Anchorage Wednesday. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 5 Maine; Tuesday, Feb. 25 vs. No. 9 Boston University; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Northeastern; Saturday, March 1 at Northeastern; Thursday, March 6 at Vermont.
12. Michigan (Big Ten) (16-12-2) vs. No. 4 Minnesota Friday. Next: Saturday vs. No. 4 Minnesota; Thursday, Feb. 27 at No. 8 Ohio State; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 8 Ohio State.
13. UMass Lowell (Hockey East) (14-10-3) at Northeastern Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Northeastern; Saturday, Feb. 22 at No. 7 Providence; Thursday, Feb. 27 at No. No. 16 Massachusetts; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 16 Massachusetts; Friday, March 7 vs. New Hampshire; Saturday, March 8 at New Hampshire.
14. Minnesota State (CCHA) (20-8-2) is idle this week. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 at Lake Superior State; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Lake Superior State; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Bemidji State; Saturday, March 1 vs. Bemidji State.
15. Quinnipiac (ECAC) (17-9-2) at Union Friday. Next: Saturday at Rensselaer; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Yale; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Brown; Friday, Feb. 8 at Clarkson; Saturday, March 1 at St. Lawrence.
16. Massachusetts (Hockey East) (15-11-2) at No. 1 Boston College Friday. Next: Saturday vs. No. 1 Boston College; Friday, Feb. 21 at New Hampshire; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. New Hampshire; Thursday, Feb. 27 vs. No. 13 UMass Lowell; Saturday, March 1 at No. 13 UMass Lowell; Friday, March 7 vs. No. 5 Maine; Saturday, March 8 vs. No. 5 Maine.
17. North Dakota (NCHC) (14-11-2) at No. 6 Denver Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 6 Denver; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Minnesota Duluth; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Minnesota Duluth; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 3 Western Michigan; Saturday, March 1 at No. 3 Western Michigan; Friday, March 7 vs. No. 20 Omaha; Saturday, March 8 vs. No. 20 Omaha.
18. Penn State (Big Ten) (14-11-3) vs. Notre Dame Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Notre Dame; Friday, Feb. 21 at No. 2 Michigan State; Saturday, Feb. 22 at No. 2 Michigan State; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. No. 4 Minnesota; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 4 Minnesota.
19. Colorado College (NCHC) (14-13-1) vs. Miami Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Miami; Friday, Feb. 21 at St. Cloud State; Saturday, Feb. 22 at St. Cloud State; Friday, March 7 at No. 6 Denver; Saturday, March 8 vs. No. 6 Denver.
20. Omaha (NCHC) (16-11-1) at No. 3 Western Michigan Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 3 Western Michigan; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. No. 10 Arizona State; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 10 Arizona State; Friday, March 7 at No. 17 North Dakota; Saturday, March 8 at No. 17 North Dakota.

Also receiving votes

Augustana (CCHA) (16-9-3) vs. Michigan Tech Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Michigan Tech; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Alaska; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Alaska.

Clarkson (ECAC) (16-9-3) vs. Dartmouth Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Harvard; Friday, Feb. 21 at Cornell; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Colgate; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. No. 15 Quinnipiac; Saturday, March 1 vs. Princeton.

Holy Cross (Atlantic Hockey) (17-11-2) vs. Mercyhurst Thursday. Next: Friday vs. Mercyhurst; Thursday, Feb. 20 vs. Bentley; Monday, Feb. 24 vs. American International.

Colgate (ECAC) (15-10-3) at Yale Friday. Next: Saturday at Brown; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. St. Lawrence; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Clarkson; Friday, Feb. 28 at Rensselaer; Saturday, March 1 at Union.

Union (ECAC) (16-9-3) vs. No. 15 Quinnipiac Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Princeton; Friday, Feb. 21 at Harvard; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Dartmouth; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Cornell; Saturday, March 1 vs. Colgate.

Wisconsin (Big Ten) (11-16-3) at No. 8 Ohio State Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 8 Ohio State; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Notre Dame; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Notre Dame; Sunday, March 2 vs. U.S. Under-18 Team (exhibition).

New Hampshire (Hockey East) (11-12-3) at No. 5 Maine Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 5 Maine; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 16 Massachusetts; Saturday, Feb. 22 at No. 16 Massachusetts; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 1 Boston College; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 1 Boston College; Friday, March 7 at No. 13 UMass Lowell; Saturday, March 8 vs. No. 13 UMass Lowell.

Sacred Heart (Atlantic Hockey) (17-10-5) is idle this week. Next: Tuesday, Feb. 18 at American International; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Bentley.

Dartmouth (ECAC) (12-9-2) at Clarkson Friday. Next: Saturday at St. Lawrence; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Rensselaer; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Union; Friday, Feb. 1 at Brown; Saturday, March 1 at Yale.

Bentley (Atlantic Hockey) (16-12-2) vs. Canisius Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Canisius; Thursday, Feb. 20 at Holy Cross; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Sacred Heart.

Merrimack (Hockey East) (12-15-1) vs. Vermont Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Vermont; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 7 Providence; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 7 Providence; Thursday, March 6 vs. Northeastern; Saturday, March 8 at No. 1 Boston College.

Bowling Green (CCHA) (15-10-4) at U.S. Under-18 Team (exhibition) Friday. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 at Bemidji State; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Bemidji State; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Lake Superior State; Saturday, March 1 vs. Lake Superior State.

Others

Notre Dame (Big Ten) (9-18-1) at Penn State Friday. Next: Saturday at Penn State; Friday, Feb. 21 at Wisconsin; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Wisconsin; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. No. 2 Michigan State; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 2 Michigan State.

Northeastern (Hockey East) (9-14-3) vs. No. 13 UMass Lowell Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 13 UMass Lowell; Friday, Feb. 21 at No. 9 Boston University; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 9 Boston University; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 11 Connecticut; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 11 Connecticut; Thursday, March 6 at Merrimack; Saturday vs. No. 7 Providence. Earlier this week: Lost 4-3 to Harvard Monday in Beanpot consolation game at Boston (TD Garden).

Vermont (Hockey East) (10-13-3) at Merrimack Friday. Next: Saturday at Merrimack; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 1 Boston College; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 1 Boston College; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 5 Maine; Saturday, March 1 at No. 5 Maine; Thursday, March 6 vs. No. 11 Connecticut; Saturday, March 8 vs. No. 9 Boston University.

St. Cloud State (NCHC) (11-16-1) is idle this week. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 19 Colorado College; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 19 Colorado College; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 6 Denver; Saturday, March 1 at No. 6 Denver; Friday, March 7 vs. Minnesota Duluth; Saturday, March 8 vs. Minnesota Duluth.

Minnesota Duluth (NCHC) (10-15-1) vs. No. 10 Arizona State Friday. Next: Saturday vs. No. 10 Arizona State; Friday, Feb. 21 at No. 17 North Dakota; Saturday, Feb. 22 at No. 17 North Dakota; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Miami; Saturday, March 1 vs. Miami; Friday, March 7 at St. Cloud State; Saturday, March 8 at St. Cloud State.

Miami (NCHC) (3-21-2) at No. 19 Colorado College Friday. Next: Saturday at No. 19 Colorado College; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 6 Denver; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 6 Denver; Friday, Feb. 28 at Minnesota Duluth; Saturday, March 1 at Minnesota Duluth; Friday, March 7 vs. No. 3 Western Michigan; Saturday, March 8 vs. No. 3 Western Michigan.

Michigan Tech (CCHA) (15-11-2) at Augustana Friday. Next: Saturday at Augustana; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Ferris State; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Ferris State; Friday, Feb. 28 at St. Thomas; Saturday, March 1 at St. Thomas.

St. Thomas (CCHA) (12-13-5) is idle this week. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 at Northern Michigan; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Northern Michigan; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Michigan Tech; Saturday, March 1 vs. Michigan Tech.

Northern Michigan (CCHA) (5-24-1) is idle this week. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 vs. St. Thomas; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. St. Thomas; Friday, Feb. 28 at Ferris State; Saturday, March 1 at Ferris State.

Lake Superior State (CCHA) (10-16-2) at Ferris State Friday. Next: Saturday at Ferris State; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. No. 14 Minnesota State; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. No. 14 Minnesota State; Friday, Feb. 28 at Bowling Green; Saturday, March 1 at Bowling Green.

Bemidji State (CCHA) (11-15-4) is idle this week. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Bowling Green; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Bowling Green; Friday, Feb. 28 at No. 14 Minnesota State; Saturday, March 1 at No. 14 Minnesota State.

Ferris State (CCHA) (10-16-2) vs. Lake Superior State Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Lake Superior State; Friday, Feb. 21 at Michigan Tech; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Michigan Tech; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Northern Michigan; Saturday, March 1 vs. Northern Michigan.

Cornell (ECAC) (9-8-6) at Brown Friday. Next: Saturday at Yale; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Clarkson; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. St. Lawrence; Friday, Feb. 28 at Union; Saturday, March 1 at Rensselaer.

Rensselaer (ECAC) (10-16-2) vs. Princeton Friday. Next: Saturday vs. No. 15 Quinnipiac; Friday, Feb. 21 at Dartmouth; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Harvard; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Colgate; Saturday, March 1 vs. Cornell.

Harvard (ECAC) (8-13-2) at St. Lawrence Friday. Next: Saturday at Clarkson; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Union; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Rensselaer; Friday, Feb. 28 at Yale; Saturday, March 1 at Brown. Earlier this week: Beat Northeastern 4-3 Monday in Beanpot consolation game at Boston (TD Garden).

Brown (ECAC) (11-10-2) vs. Cornell Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Colgate; Friday, Feb. 21 at Princeton; Saturday, Feb. 22 at No. 15 Quinnipiac; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Dartmouth; Saturday, March 1 vs. Harvard.  Earlier this week: Beat Yale 5-1 Sunday.

Yale (ECAC) (5-16-2) vs. Colgate Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Cornell; Friday, Feb. 21 at No. 15 Quinnipiac; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Princeton; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Harvard; Saturday, March 1 vs. Dartmouth. Earlier this week: Lost at Brown 5-1 Sunday.

St. Lawrence (ECAC) (8-18-2) vs. Harvard Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Dartmouth; Friday, Feb. 21 at Colgate; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Cornell; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Princeton; Saturday, March 1 vs. No. 15 Quinnipiac.

Princeton (ECAC) (10-11-2) at Rensselaer Friday. Next: Saturday at Union; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Brown; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Yale; Friday, Feb. 28 at St. Lawrence; Saturday, March 1 at Clarkson.

Niagara (Atlantic Hockey) (15-12-3) vs. Robert Morris Friday. Next: Saturday at Robert Morris; Friday, Feb. 21 at Canisius; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Canisius. Earlier this week: Beat Canisius 6-2 Tuesday.

Robert Morris (Atlantic Hockey) (9-17-4) at Niagara Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Niagara; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Air Force; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Air Force.

Army (Atlantic Hockey) (12-16-1) at Air Force Friday. Next: Saturday at Air Force; Friday, Feb. 21 at American International; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. American International.

Air Force (Atlantic Hockey) (13-18-1) vs. Army Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Army; Friday, Feb. 21 at Robert Morris; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Robert Morris.

Canisius (Atlantic Hockey) (9-19-2) at Bentley Friday. Next: Saturday at Bentley; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Niagara; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Niagara. Earlier this week: Lost 6-2 at Niagara Tuesday.

RIT (Atlantic Hockey) (7-22-1) vs. American International Friday. Next: Saturday vs. American International; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Mercyhurst; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Mercyhurst.

American International (Atlantic Hockey) (10-17-1) at RIT Friday. Next: Saturday at RIT; Tuesday, Feb. 18 vs. Sacred Heart; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Army; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Army; Monday, Feb. 24 at Holy Cross.

Mercyhurst (Atlantic Hockey) (4-22-4) at Holy Cross Thursday. Next: Friday at Holy Cross; Friday, Feb. 21 at RIT; Saturday, Feb. 22 at RIT.

Long Island (Independent) (15-11-2) vs. Alaska Anchorage Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Alaska Anchorage; Friday, Feb. 21 at Stonehill; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Stonehill; Friday, Feb. 28 vs. Alaska; Saturday, March 1 vs. Alaska.

Lindenwood (Independent) (6-20-2) vs. Alaska Friday. Next: Saturday vs. Alaska; Friday, Feb. 21 at Alaska Anchorage; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Alaska Anchorage.

Stonehill (Independent) (10-21-0) vs. Plymouth State Friday. Next: Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Long Island; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Long Island.

Alaska (Independent) (9-11-6) at Lindenwood Friday. Next: Saturday at Lindenwood; Friday, Feb. 21 at Augustana; Saturday, Feb. 22 at Augustana; Friday, Feb. 28 at Long Island; Saturday, March 1 at Long Island.

Alaska Anchorage (Independent) (5-19-5) at No. 11 Connecticut Wednesday. Next: Friday at Long Island; Saturday at Long Island; Friday, Feb. 21 vs. Lindenwood; Saturday, Feb. 22 vs. Lindenwood.