All six Big Ten teams are in action this weekend. Penn State, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan State are at home while Ohio State and Michigan are on the road.

There are several storylines to keep an eye on, including Minnesota’s offense. The Gopher only have on goal on the season. Minnesota, along with Ohio State and Wisconsin, are still searching for its first win.

Minnesota vs. Northeastern: Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. CT; Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. CT

The Gophers have been struggling on several fronts this season. The young team has had a difficult time scoring, and three players are tied for the team lead with one point. Minnesota needs the junior class to step up, and they haven’t yet. Freshman Eric Schierhorn has played well in goal, although Minnesota allows three goals per game.

Now 0-3 on the season, Minnesota hosts Northeastern for a pair of games. The Huskies are 1-2 on the season after being swept by Bentley. Five players have two points for the Huskies while Kevin Roy has one.

Prediction: Minnesota sweeps.

Michigan State vs. LSSU: Oct. 22 at 7:05 p.m.; Oct. 17 at 7:05 p.m.

The Spartans and Lakers are meeting for the second time this season. Michigan State earned a 4-1 win at the Ice Breaker tournament, its only win of the season. Michael Ferrantino, Mackenzie MacEachern and JT Stenglein all scored for the Spartans.

Michigan State has been struggling with injuries, but the top line of Stenglein, Joe Cox and Thomas Ebbing have filled the offensive void. The Spartans are set in net with Jake Hildebrand.

LSSU earned its first and only win of the season last weekend against Northern Michigan. All four of LSSU’s top scorers are freshmen, and Gage Torrel has the most with four.

Prediction: Michigan State sweeps.

Ohio State at Providence: Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

The Buckeyes, who are winless on the season, face a big test in Providence on the road. The Friars are 2-0-1 on the season, including a win over Miami – the same Miami that swept Ohio State.

Mark Jankowski leads Providence with seven points while Trevor Mingoia has six. Junior Nick Ellis has backstopped in all three games, and Jon Gillies’ replacement has a .929 save percentage so far.

After a season-opening 6-3 loss to Bowling Green, Ohio State has limited opponents to three goals or less. While Steve Rohlik entered the season with a goaltending tandem, Matt Tomkins has started the last three games and holds a .921 save percentage. Anthony Greco and David Gust have three points each.

Prediction: Providence sweeps.

Wisconsin vs. Ferris State: Oct. 23 at 6 p.m. CT; Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. CT

After a difficult Boston road trip, the Badgers resume play against Ferris State. The Bulldogs just earned their first win after beating Michigan Tech 3-2. Wisconsin is winless so far.

The Badgers aren’t as bad as they were last year, but it’s still going to be a long season for a very young squad. On a positive Wisconsin note, the Badgers may have found a starter in Matt Jurusik. Grant Besse, Seamus Malone and Adam Rockwood all have three points.

For the Bulldogs, Kyle Schempp, Chad McDonald and Matt Robertson all have three points. Charles Williams started all four games for Ferris State and has a .922 save percentages.

Prediction: Series split.

Penn State vs. AIC: Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.; Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

After a series split with Notre Dame, the Nittany Lions continue their homestand by hosting out-of-conference AIC. The Yellow Jackets are winless on the season, suffering losses to UNH, Alaska and Alaska-Anchorage.

Austin Orszulak leads AIC with four points. Hunter Leisner and Alex Murray have split starts so far this season, while Leisner’s .868 save percentage is slightly higher than Murray’s save percentage.

Despite its offseason losses, Penn State has averaged five goals per game – tied for first in the country. Curtis Loik has six points. On the back end, Penn State has used a goaltending rotation between Eamon McAdam and Matthew Skoff.

Prediction: Penn State sweeps.

Michigan at Union: Oct. 23 at 7:30;  vs. RPI: Oct. 24 at 7 p.m.

After a series sweep of Mercyhurst, the Wolverines travel to New York to face Union and RPI. Union is 2-0-2, with a win over BU and Maine. RPI is now 1-3. After a surprising early season win over the Boston College, the Engineers dropped both games at the Brice Alaska Goal Rush.

Michigan is still using its goaltending tandem of Zach Nagelvoort and Steve Racine. Goaltending has been suspect for Michigan over the past several years, but the offense should be one of the best in the country. Freshman Kyle Connor already leads the team with four points in two games.

Last year Michigan destroyed RPI, but the Engineers didn’t have a healthy Jason Kasdorf. The netminder, who played well against BC, has a .928 save percentage. Freshman Evan Tironese leads the team with four points. For Union, Alex Sakellarpopoulos has a .941 save percentage and junior forward Mike Vecchione has four points.

While both Union and RPI pulled out good wins over BU and BC, they might have trouble stopping Michigan’s offense.

Prediction: Michigan sweeps

Thursday, October 22nd, 2015 - 5:02 pm | Big Ten, Blogs, Notes, Thoughts, Ramblings