The puck officially drops for the Huskies this weekend as they co-host the Icebreaking Tournament at the Toscano Family Ice Forum.
Their first matchup pits the No. 16 Huskies against No. 17 Penn State. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies in last year’s NCAA regional final, winning 3-2 in overtime. Both squads are coming off successful seasons, making the tournament as UConn finished with a 20-13-5 record. As for Penn State, the team completed its season 21-14-2. The history between these two teams is split 2-2-1.
The Huskies netted 116 goals last season led by forward Joey Muldowney, who contributed 17 of his own. They look to Muldowney this season as he enters his senior year for the Huskies. A new face will be protecting the goal, however, after previous goaltender Tyler Muszelik signed an entry level contract with the Florida Panthers.
Penn State scored 136 goals last season, led by Matt DiMarsico with 18, who was signed by the Colorado Avalanche at the end of last season. It was DiMarsico who scored the dagger in overtime last season for the Nittany Lions against UConn, advancing them to their first Frozen Four in program history. As for goaltending, Josh Fleming is the projected starter with the most experience out of the three goalies after appearing in 20 games last season. He held a single-season Penn State record .924 save percentage and a 2.61 goals-against average last year in his freshman season.
There is a chance for some payback after the Huskies fell to Penn State in their final game of last year’s tournament, as both teams drop the puck to begin their 2026-27 campaigns.
The Huskies then take the ice the following night against Bowling Green, looking for their first win against the program. UConn is 0-1-1 against the Falcons with the last matchup coming in a 2011 series in Ohio. They host the Falcons for the first time in their opening weekend back on the ice.
Bowling Green fell to No. 2 Michigan this past weekend and is hoping to rebound against Sacred Heart before taking on the Huskies. Sophomore forward Jeremie Minville leads the Falcons so far this season with two goals. Freshman Carson Campbell leads in assists, accumulating two through the first two games. Sophomore Jacob Steinman stands in front of goal after an injury in February ended his freshman year. Steinman did not have the best start of this season, facing a tough Michigan offense and allowing nine goals through the first two games.
The start to the season is finally here, and with temperatures dropping in Storrs, the ice is starting to freeze. UConn opens its 2026-27 season this weekend at the Toscano Family Ice Forum, facing Penn State on Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. The following day, the Huskies take on Bowling Green with a puck-drop of 6 p.m. Both matchups can be streamed on ESPN+.