Record Crowd Witnesses Michigan State Defeat Penn State in Outdoor Classic
The first-ever outdoor men’s hockey game at Beaver Stadium delivered a spectacle that left participants and spectators in awe, though the result favored the visiting team. On January 31, 2026, the No. 2 Michigan State Spartans defeated the No. 5 Penn State Nittany Lions 5-4 in overtime. A crowd of 74,575 fans filled the iconic football venue, marking the second-largest attendance for a college hockey game in NCAA history.
“It just blew me away,” Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky said, reflecting on the atmosphere. “I couldn’t believe it was a hockey game; I really couldn’t. Constantly, numerous times, every period, would I just look around at the atmosphere and just take it in.”
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair that lived up to the setting. Michigan State forward Charlie Stramel proved to be the difference-maker, securing a hat trick that included the game-winning goal with 1 minute and 52 seconds remaining in the overtime period. For Penn State, 18-year-old Gavin McKenna, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, showcased his elite offensive skill with a goal and two assists, describing the event as “something I’ll remember forever.”
Despite the historic nature of the event, the outcome was a competitive setback for the Nittany Lions. The loss completed a weekend sweep for Michigan State, who had also won 6-3 the previous night at Pegula Ice Arena, ending Penn State’s seven-game winning streak. Additionally, logistical challenges were noted early in the contest, with reports indicating that a significant number of fans were delayed by security lines and missed the opening goal, which Michigan State scored just over two minutes into the first period. Penn State also failed to hold onto leads during the game, allowing the Spartans to tie the score late in the second period and eventually win in the extra session.
This outdoor game highlights the growing trend of stadium series matches in collegiate hockey, designed to bring the sport to larger audiences. The attendance figure at Beaver Stadium trailed only “The Big Chill at the Big House” in 2010, which drew over 104,000 fans to Michigan Stadium. With this victory, Michigan State solidified its position atop the Big Ten standings, moving past both Penn State and Michigan in the conference race.
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