Penn State Defenseman Jackson Smith Takes the Ice in Historic Big Ten Clash at Beaver Stadium

Beaver Stadium, best known as the thunderous home of Penn State football, briefly traded cleats for blades as defenseman Jackson Smith glided across a temporary rink for the Nittany Lions’ Big Ten showdown with Michigan State. The outdoor setting provided a dramatic backdrop for Smith, whose steady presence on the blue line has been one of the few constants during a roller-coaster season that now leads the Lions straight into the NCAA Tournament.

Smith and his teammates are set to face No. 2 seed Minnesota-Duluth at Albany’s MVP Arena on March 27, a single-elimination test that arrives with little margin for error. The matchup marks the first meeting between the programs and Penn State’s third NCAA appearance in four years, but the Lions carry scant momentum after going 3-7-2 down the stretch and failing to record a victory over a ranked opponent in that span.

Center Reese Laubach recently acknowledged the team’s fragile psyche, saying players were “starting to check out” after a lopsided loss to Wisconsin. Yet Laubach also reminded observers that the current roster “is light years ahead” of last year’s Frozen Four squad, urging a return to selfless, team-first play.

Injuries have ravaged the lineup since January, though the return of star center Charlie Cerrato for the final three games offered a late boost. Now healthy and refreshed after a two-week hiatus, Penn State will need every healthy body—including Smith’s reliable defense—to slow a Bulldogs attack led by the Plante brothers. Max Plante ranks fifth nationally with 49 points, while Zam Plante sits 11th with 46.

The Albany Regional shapes up as a minefield, featuring No. 1 overall seed Michigan and AHA champion Bentley. With Michigan, Michigan State, and Wisconsin also securing bids, the Big Ten has placed four teams in the field, underscoring the conference’s depth and the challenge that awaits Smith and the Lions if they hope to return to the Frozen Four.

Penn State and Minnesota-Duluth drop the puck at 9 p.m. ET, their first-ever meeting, with a berth in college hockey’s final four hanging in the balance.