Forward Reese Laubach (29) scores in overtime during the Penn State men’s ice hockey game against Ohio State at the Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Buckeyes 3-2 in overtime.
Forward Reese Laubach (29) scores in overtime during the Penn State men’s ice hockey game against Ohio State at the Pegula Ice Arena on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions beat the Buckeyes 3-2 in overtime.
On Jan. 5, 2025, Penn State dominated Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, as it won Game 2, 3-0, and picked up its first Big Ten win.
Even though the blue and white got the weight of being winless in conference play off its backs — taking nearly three months to end its losing streak — it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows following their first points in the standings.
San Jose Sharks prospect and Penn State center Reese Laubach suffered a lower-body injury in the series finale against the Fighting Irish, leaving his status in doubt for the near future.
“It was tough (for Laubach),” coach Guy Gadowsky said. “He dealt with an injury and obviously (had) time off where he couldn’t really skate. (We) weren’t sure what we were going to get from him (this weekend).”
The San Jose, California, native missed the following four games before returning to Penn State’s lineup on Friday night for the first contest of a two-game set against No. 9 Ohio State.
“Having (Laubach) back in the lineup definitely juices us up,” Dylan Lugris said following Penn State’s Game 1 win. “We were happy to see him do well on the scoresheet but do well in the defensive zone as well.”
Laubach recorded two assists in his return, but the highlight of the sophomore’s weekend came in overtime of Saturday night’s 3-2 win, as he lifted the blue and white to a series sweep over the Buckeyes.
With less than two minutes remaining in the extra frame, Laubach rushed up the ice with Ben Schoen on a 2-on-0.
As Schoen moved up center ice, Laubach skated to the left of his teammate toward the dot. Schoen faked a shot and dished Laubach, leaving the Sharks prospect with the puck in the perfect one-timing position.
Laubach finished the one-timer into the back of the net, past Ohio State netminder Logan Terness.
While Laubach and Schoen skated up ice, the in-play communication factored heavily into the game-winner.
“I skated down the ice and heard Reese screaming ‘two, two’, so the mindset was just trying to fake the goalie out like I was going to shoot and give it to (Laubach) and he buried it.”
In addition to his game-winning goal, Laubach assisted on Danny Dzhaniyev’s power-play tally early in the second period.
Not only was Laubach successful in the stat sheet in his first series back, but the sophomore showed no signs of a past injury, showcasing strong play along the boards all weekend.
Laubach was met with multiple Ohio State players along the boards throughout the game, fighting off their physicality and backchecks, giving Penn State some much-needed extended time in the offensive zone.
Gadowsky and multiple teammates of Laubach expressed how happy they were for the sophomore to shine in his return, saying they have nothing but praise for Laubach, calling the sophomore “an incredible human” and a “hard worker.”
“It was very fitting for a guy that works as hard as he does to come off and score the last goal of the weekend,” Gadowsky said. “Reese is a quiet warrior. He’s the nicest man on the planet, such a quality human being, but on the ice, he’s an absolute killer.”
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The Nittany Lions battled the Buckeyes with the hopes of clawing back up the Big Ten standings.
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