No. 6 Penn State men's hockey suffered two losses to its roster during the 2025-26 regular season. Forward Charlie Cerrato, who leads the Nittany Lions in points, was ruled out for the remainder of the regular season at least due to an undisclosed injury. Captain and forward Dane Dowiak sustained an upper body injury against Michigan and will not play until his senior season in 2026-27.
Updated bracketology projection for Penn State hockey isn't as good as it seems
As a result of Dowiak's injury, freshman forward Luke Misa filled in for the captain at center. Misa is expected to stay on this line, which happens to be the first line with Gavin McKenna and Aiden Fink. While these two can carry that line in terms of production, Misa has a crucial role of taking faceoffs and also creating chances for his new linemates.
Helping Misa out in this case is that Dowiak was not a big center on the ice at just five-foot-10-inches and 180 pounds. Those are, coincidentally, Misa's exact measurements as well.
However, experience and body control will be essential down the stretch of the regular season and beyond.
The Nittany Lions face Ohio State, the first of their last three series in the regular season. There will be more tough matchups for Misa to handle, especially in the defensive zone. He needs to win puck battles, and that starts at the point.
Against the Wolverines when Misa slotted in for Dowiak following his injury, he won 12-of-24 faceoffs against forward T.J. Hughes. Winning 50 percent of faceoffs after being suddenly thrown in with the top line is a good baseline for Misa, especially given he's a true freshman. It's his job to get McKenna and Fink in the best position possible, helping stabilize the line off the draw.
“It’s definitely one big thing, kind of getting to those dirty areas, doing some of the dirty work that [Dowiak] was doing,” Misa said, according to Onward State. “Guys are gonna have to step up, and that’s just how it is.”
Misa and the rest of the Penn State squad are set to face the Buckeyes on Friday, Feb. 20. Puck drop at Pegula Ice Arena is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET and the game can be watched on Big Ten Network.