U MEN'S HOCKEY PREVIEW

Two-game series at Penn State • 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Pegula Ice Arena • BTN both nights; 1130-AM, 103.5-FM

Gophers face nation's highest scoring team

Preview: First-year coach Bob Motzko will make his first trip to Happy Valley when the Gophers (11-12-4, 8-7-3 Big Ten) take on No. 18 Penn State (14-10-2, 6-9-1-1). The Gophers are second in the conference with 27 points, eight behind leader Ohio State. The Nittany Lions are last of seven teams with 20 points.

Players to watch: Penn State sophomore forward Evan Barratt ranks second in the nation in points per game, averaging 1.52. With 15 goals and 20 assists, he leads an elite offense that tops the country with 118 goals, an average of 4.54 per game.

Pitlick picks up honor: Gophers junior Rem Pitlick earned the Big Ten's first star after producing two goals and three assists in last weekend's split against Michigan. He has team and career highs of 17 goals and 33 points this season and is tied for third in the country in goals. He's had multiple points in four straight games, goals in six consecutive games and points in nine consecutive games.

MEGAN RYAN