Guy Gadowsky, Gavin McKenna Preview Penn State Men's Hockey Top-5 Matchup at Michigan State
Fresh off a road sweep against Ohio State, No. 3 Penn State men's hockey is preparing to face another ranked opponent this weekend at Michigan State. Before traveling to East Lansing, known for its intense hockey atmosphere, head coach Guy Gadowsky and forward Gavin McKenna spoke with the media Monday afternoon about the upcoming top-five matchup.
Team Faces Challenge Without Key Forward
Penn State forward Aiden Fink, a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award last season, was injured in the game against Ohio State last Thursday and missed the following game on Friday. Coach Gadowsky confirmed the injury is to Fink’s upper body and that he will be out for an extended period.
“He has an upper body injury. He will be out for the foreseeable future.” — Guy Gadowsky
Though there is no exact timeline for his return, Gadowsky expects Fink to be back this season, likely near Christmas. The team plans to continue with the same player rotation used on Friday but remains prepared to adjust as needed.
Team Perspective and Response
“It’s going to suck without him in the lineup, but we know guys are going to step up,” McKenna said. “And, you know, it’s a big role to fill in, so guys are going to be working hard for it, and I’m going to make sure I’m doing my job.”
Penn State is focused on rallying and stepping up in Fink’s absence to maintain their competitive edge in this important series.
Author's Summary
The No. 3 Penn State men's hockey team braces for a tough road test at Michigan State while adapting to a significant injury loss ahead of a key top-five clash.