B1G News and Notes and Players of the Week
The Big Ten Hockey regular season enters its final month with a slate of games this weekend. The most-played rivalry in college hockey resumes when No. 2/2 Michigan State and No. 13/13 Michigan clash for the 351st and 352nd time. The teams will battle for the Iron D Trophy at the Duel in the D inside Little Caesars Arena Saturday in a game televised by the Big Ten Network. The Great Lakes rivals split a conference series three weeks ago and met twice in the postseason last year with Michigan State winning the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game and Michigan prevailing in an NCAA Regional Final. Elsewhere No. 9/11 Ohio State travels to Notre Dame in a rematch of a December series that saw the Buckeyes win a pair of games by the scores of 2-1 (OT) and 3-1. OSU took a game from No. 2/2 Michigan State last week in Columbus while Notre Dame is coming off a bye week. No. 19/20 Wisconsin continues its pursuit of postseason home ice by hosting Penn State, which is unbeaten in five of its last six games (4-1-1). Wisconsin defeated Penn State twice on the road in November. No. 3/3 Minnesota goes into a bye week as the highest scoring team in the country, having scored 121 goals for a 4.03 game average.
• As the conference season hits the homestretch, the chase for the individual scoring title is heating up. Jimmy Snuggerud (17-11—28) of Minnesota owns a one-point lead over Michigan State’s Isaac Howard (14-13—27) while Michigan’s T.J. Hughes (12-13—25) is three points back. Aiden Fink is in contention to become Penn State’s first scoring champion, sitting fourth in the race (13-8—21). Michigan has captured five scoring titles, the most of any school.
• Jacob Truscott, an Academic All-Big Ten defenseman at Michigan, is one 14 student-athletes who has been nominated for the 30th Hockey Humanitarian Award, which recognizes college hockey’s finest citizen. A two-year captain, Truscott has been involved with Team Impact, made visits to Mott Children’s Hospital, volunteered with Ele’s Place 5K Run and spent time with local nonprofits that have visited Yost Ice Arena. Truscott graduated with a degree in Applied Exercise Science and is pursuing a graduate certificate in Real Estate Development. Finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian will be announced later this month and the winner revealed during the “Friday Night at the Frozen Four” awards ceremony. Penn State’s Dylan Lugris received the award last year, becoming the fourth Big Ten player honored.
• The 12th edition of the Big Ten Hockey Tournament begins the weekend of March 7-9 with best-of-three quarterfinal games. Single elimination semifinal contests take place on March 15 with the championship game slated for March 22 at the site of the highest remaining seed. This year’s event will mark the seventh time tournament games have taken place on campus.
• The Big Ten has 15 candidates entered in the 2025 Hobey Baker Award fan vote, which continues through March 30. On-line voting can be accessed at https://hobeybaker.com/vote.
Michigan, Minnesota and Penn State Capture Stars Honors
Gophers’ Snuggerud, Nittany Lions’ Fink and Wolverines’ Felicio recognized
First Star
Jimmy Snuggerud, Minnesota
Jr. – F – Chaska, Minn. — U.S. National Team Development Program
- Produced two goals and two assists as No. 4/4 Minnesota swept No. 17/18 Wisconsin in the Border Battle rivalry, contested Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Minneapolis, Minn.
- Sparked a 5-2 come-from-behind win on Friday with two goals, extending his goal-scoring streak to six games while scoring his Big Ten-best 17th goal in conference play
- Took over the NCAA scoring lead (41 points) and became the first Minnesota player to record three consecutive 20-goal campaigns to begin a career in over 70 years
- The junior captain snags his seventh career Big Ten weekly award (6-Firsts, 1-Second) and his third of the season
- Last Minnesota First Star: Jimmy Snuggerud on Jan. 21, 2025
Second Star
Aiden Fink, Penn State
So. – F – Calgary, Alberta – Brooks (AJHL)
- Netted a conference-high three goals to help Penn State to a series split at No. 13/12 Michigan
- Buried two goals in Penn State’s 5-4 win on Friday, setting a Penn State record with his 14th career power play goal
- Scored his first career shorthanded goal on Saturday and continues to pace the Nittany Lions in scoring with 37 points in 26 games
- The Nashville Predators draft pick garners his fifth career Star Award and second of the season
- Last Penn State Star recipient: Reese Laubach (Third Star) on Jan. 28, 2025
Third Star
Will Felicio, Michigan
Fr. – D – Holden, Mass. — Waterloo (USHL)
- Contributed four points (goal, three assists) in Michigan’s split against Penn State, Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Ann Arbor
- Shared the national lead for points among defenseman last week
- Finished the conference series with a plus-five rating; has yet to take a penalty this season
- Becomes just the third Big Ten freshman this season honored with a Star Award
- Last Michigan Star honorees: Michael Hage (First Star) and T.J. Hughes (Second Star) on Nov. 26, 2024
