GoaltendingI am still getting used to Penn State hockey having above-average to strong goaltending in the last couple of seasons. That will need to continue for Penn State to contend for the conference or NCAA Tournament. Penn State was touted as a favorite to win the Big Ten and a national championship contender. The season was viewed as a disappointment of sorts after lots of hype, which became the de facto theme for Penn State athletics in 2025-26. Many of the hockey team's most successful seasons came with little hype going in (2016-17, 2022-23, 2024-25).