Michigan State's Charlie Stramel nets hat trick in OT win over Penn State

Spartans defeat Nittany Lions 5-4 in first outdoor hockey game at Beaver Stadium

Feb. 1, 2026 at 12:47am

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Michigan State senior forward Charlie Stramel scored the game-winning goal in overtime to lead the No. 2-ranked Spartans to a 5-4 victory over No. 5 Penn State in the first outdoor hockey game at Beaver Stadium. Stramel's hat trick performance capped off an exciting matchup between the two top-ranked teams.

Why it matters

This high-profile matchup between two top-5 teams in college hockey drew a huge crowd of over 74,000 fans to Beaver Stadium, home of the Penn State football team. The dramatic overtime finish highlighted the growing popularity of outdoor hockey games and the fierce rivalry between Michigan State and Penn State.

The details

Stramel scored three goals, including the game-winner in overtime, to lead Michigan State to the victory. The Spartans rallied from a 4-2 deficit in the third period to force overtime and set the stage for Stramel's heroics.

  • The game was played on Saturday, February 1, 2026.
  • Stramel scored the game-winning goal in overtime.

The players

Charlie Stramel

A senior forward for the Michigan State Spartans and the team's top-line center.

Michigan State Spartans

The No. 2-ranked college hockey team that defeated Penn State in overtime.

Penn State Nittany Lions

The No. 5-ranked college hockey team that hosted the outdoor game at Beaver Stadium.

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What’s next

The win boosts Michigan State's chances of securing a high seed in the upcoming NCAA hockey tournament.

The takeaway

This thrilling overtime matchup between two top-5 college hockey teams showcased the growing popularity of outdoor hockey games and the fierce rivalry between Michigan State and Penn State.