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No. 5 Penn State returns home for a key Big Ten series against Ohio State. The Nittany Lions are looking to snap an 0-3-1 skid that has effectively ended the team’s chances of winning the conference regular season title. Penn State swept the first series between these teams in Columbus on October 30 and 31.

How to Watch

Who: Ohio State Buckeyes
NPI Ranking (PSU): 27 (5)
When: Friday, February 20 and Saturday, February 21
Where: Pegula Ice Arena, State College, PA
Times: 8:30pm (Friday), 8pm (Saturday)
TV: Big Ten Network (both games)
Radio: Penn State Sports Network

Projected Lineup

Matt DiMarsico-Reese Laubach-JJ Wiebusch
Gavin McKenna-Luke Misa-Aiden Fink
Ben Schoen-Nic Chin-DeGraves-Casey Aman
Shea Van Olm-Lev Katzin-Nick Fascia

Jackson Smith-Jarod Crespo
Cade Christenson-Mac Gadowsky
Carter Schade-Nolan Collins

Josh Fleming
Kevin Reidler

Opponent Preview

It has been a mediocre season for Ohio State, who comes into the season with an 11-16-5 record. The Buckeyes have won three of their last four games, including a 3-2 home win over Wisconsin last Saturday, but this team has been inconsistent since the beginning of the season.

Davis Burnside and Max Montes each have 11 goals to lead the way for the offense. Jake Karabela, Felix Caron, Riley Thompson, and Adam Eisele all have at least 8 goals as well, giving this team enough scoring options to hang with a depleted Penn State lineup. Ohio State gets 31.7 shots on goal per game, good for 20th in the NCAA. The Buckeyes found success offensively in the first series between these teams this season, but Penn State made enough plays to secure the road sweep.

Defensively, Ohio State is a bit of a mess, giving up 3.4 goals per game (49th in NCAA). They are above average at preventing shots on goal (27th), but the goaltending has taken a big step back from last year’s squad. As a team, Ohio State’s team save percentage is .883, tied with Notre Dame for the worst mark in the conference and 59th in the NCAA. Kristoffer Eberly (.886 save percentage, 3.26 GAA) has regressed significantly from last season, which has been one of the biggest culprits in the Buckeyes’ fall from last season.

Ohio State is 22.7% on the power play (17th in NCAA) and 75.5% on the penalty kill (T-51st in NCAA). Poor goaltending has negatively affected this team’s penalty kill, and Penn State will need to take advantage.

News & Notes

• Fans attending this weekend’s games should be aware of parking and traffic changes due to THON.
• Penn State captain Dane Dowiak will miss the remainder of the season due to an injury.
• Aiden Fink was named an alternate captain for the rest of the season.
• Ohio State leads the all-time series 28-25-5.
• Ohio State is 1-5-1 in overtime games this season.
• Penn State enters the weekend with a 99.4% chance to make the NCAA Tournament.

Prediction

Down to 10 healthy forwards, this will be a more difficult series for Penn State than I might normally expect. Fortunately, this series is at home and Ohio State has had poor goaltending this year. Ohio State has enough firepower to keep the games close, but the Nittany Lions will find a way to win the series, and likely officially secure their spot in the NCAA Tournament.

Penn State 4-3, 4-2

Liverpool Lead Race for Mateus Mane Amid Wolves Uncertainty

Liverpool are currently leading the pursuit of Wolves forward Mateus Mane, according to reporting by Caught Offside, with Manchester United and Arsenal also expressing interest in the 18 year old.

There is a growing acceptance within Wolves that retaining Mane this summer will prove challenging, particularly with relegation to the Championship described as a near certainty. Early conversations have taken place regarding a potential transfer, and indications are that Liverpool have moved swiftly to position themselves at the front of the queue.

One source is quoted as saying, “Wolves accept that it’s going to be very hard for them to keep Mateus Mane. This is one of the most outstanding talents in the country, and his rapid progression is no secret to Premier League scouts.” That assessment aligns with the level of interest emerging across the top end of the division.

Early Engagement from Anfield

While Manchester United have been widely linked, the information available suggests Liverpool have undertaken preliminary work on a possible deal. Contact has been made with the player’s representatives and initial discussions are described as “positive”.

Wolves are understood to value Mane at around £50m. Whether that figure proves negotiable remains to be seen. If maintained, it may test Liverpool’s appetite, given their recent preference for structured deals and targeted investment.

Mane, an England youth international, has attracted attention for his development trajectory and adaptability in advanced areas. Recruitment departments across the Premier League have monitored his progress closely over the past 12 months.

Arsenal Interest Adds Competition

Arsenal are also admirers. Their recent recruitment strategy has combined immediate impact with long term planning, illustrated by the acquisitions of William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli. Those deals have delivered both performance and appreciation in value.

Photo IMAGO

The report notes that Arsenal are “keen to mix it up by bringing in more young players this summer,” suggesting Mane fits a broader profile rather than being an isolated target.

For now, Liverpool hold what is described as an early advantage. However, the situation remains fluid, and formal bids have yet to materialise. Wolves’ league status, valuation stance and the player’s own preference will all influence the outcome in the coming weeks.

EPL Index, Wolves Fan Perspective

From a Wolves standpoint, this situation feels painfully familiar. When a young player is labelled “one of the most outstanding talents in the country,” it rarely ends with him staying at Molineux for long.

Supporters will understand the financial realities, especially if relegation is confirmed, but £50m must represent more than a headline figure. If Mateus Mane departs, Wolves need maximum value and clarity on reinvestment. Selling talent without a robust succession plan has hurt clubs before.

Fans will also take pride in the fact that Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United are circling. That level of interest underlines the quality emerging from Wolves’ development system. Yet pride does not soften the blow of losing a player capable of shaping the club’s future.

If a sale becomes inevitable, transparency and smart recruitment will be essential. Wolves supporters will accept difficult decisions, provided they are part of a coherent strategy rather than another step in decline.

Amanda Anisimova came from behind to defeat Mirra Andreeva and move into the Dubai semi-finals.

After dropping the first set 6-2, Anisimova rallied to win the next two sets 7-5, 7-6.

The American has recovered from illness to set up a semi-final meeting with her compatriot Jessica Pegula.

By defeating Andreeva in the quarter-finals, Anisimova made history for American tennis.

Amanda Anisimova sets unusual American record in Dubai

With her latest win in Dubai, the American has now reached the semi-finals of a WTA 1000 event for the fourth time in her career.

Her other semi-final appearances came at the Canadian Open, Qatar Open, and China Open.

In that context, Anisimova became the first American woman to reach her first four WTA 1000 semi-finals outside of the United States, according to OptaAce.

With victories at the WTA 1000 events in Qatar and the China Open in 2025, the Florida native has climbed significantly in the rankings.

Anisimova defeated Jelena Ostapenko in Doha to win her first Masters title, then followed it up with another victory over Linda Noskova in Beijing.

The only blemish on her WTA 1000 final record so far is a loss to Pegula, who beat her in last year’s Canadian Open.

Amanda Anisimova will need to make career history to reach the Dubai Final

The two Americans are only one place apart in the WTA rankings, with Pegula sitting at number five.

However, Anisimova is still searching for her first win over the 31-year-old in four attempts on the WTA Tour.

Pegula extended her perfect record against the 24-year-old star with a win in their most recent meeting at the Australian Open quarter-final.

Anisimova has also come up short against Pegula at Charleston, Cincinnati, and the Canadian Open final.

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