Week 1 Takeaways: McKenna Shines, Quinnipiac Dominates, and Miami Snaps the Streak

Also: Erik Largen talks life as an independent, Merrimack suggests facility upgrades coming

The first weekend of the college hockey season is in the books, and it didn’t disappoint. Today’s issue (#594) has some of my key takeaways from around the country:

Penn State Sweeps Arizona State on National Stage

The marquee series of the weekend saw Penn State sweep Arizona State in a pair of nationally televised games on NHL Network and TSN in Canada.

Freshman phenom Gavin McKenna impressed in his NCAA debut weekend, finishing with a goal — the game-winner on Saturday — two assists, nine shots on goal, and a -3 rating while averaging 22 minutes per game.

What stood out most was McKenna’s ability to adapt to the tighter spaces and reduced time on the puck at the NCAA level. There were growing pains — including a questionable decision on a cross-checking penalty early in the third period on Saturday — but he bounced back with a power-play goal that sealed the win for the Nittany Lions, who rallied twice in the third period.