BTN.com staff, March 12, 2015

We?re entering the final weekend of conference action and the race for first place in the Big Ten standings is on. Ohio State upset Minnesota and Penn State upset Michigan last Saturday to put the Spartans on top for now.

Here are last week's results:

FRIDAY, MAR. 6

  • Minnesota def. Ohio State, 4-2
  • Michigan State def. Wisconsin, 3-0
  • Penn State def. Michigan, 6-4

SATURDAY, MAR. 7

  • Penn State def.  Michigan, 4-3
  • Ohio State def.  Minnesota, 5-2
  • Michigan State def. Wisconsin, 3-0

Here's what's ahead this week.

MICHIGAN STATE AT NO. 19 MICHIGAN

When: Friday, Mar. 13 7:05 p.m. ET; Saturday, Mar. 14 5:05 p.m. ET

How to watch: Both games air live on Fox Sports Detroit and BTN2Go (Friday and Saturday)

Players to watch: Michigan State?s Jake Hildebrand earned first star of the week after back-to-back shutouts in their sweep over Wisconsin. He?s the first Spartan goalie to do so since Jeff Lerg in 2008. Wolverine forward JT Compher tallied his 2nd hat trick of the season against Penn State on Saturday night.

The latest on the Wolverines: The Wolverines enter the weekend tied for second in the Big Ten with 33 points after getting swept by PSU over the weekend. If Michigan sweeps this weekend, they would win out the conference and earn a first-round bye in the Big Ten tournament.

The latest on the Spartans: Michigan State enters the weekend atop the Big Ten Standings after sweeping the Badgers last weekend. If the Spartans sweep the Wolverines, they would win out the conference and receive a first-round bye in the Big Ten tournament.

In summary: This weekend presents arguably the greatest rivalry home and home series of the conference thus far, with the Big Ten regular-season conference championship title at stake.

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PENN STATE AT NO. 15 MINNESOTA 

When: Friday, Mar. 13 8:05p.m. ET; Saturday, Mar. 14 8:05p.m. ET

How to watch: Both games will air live on BTN2Go (Friday and Saturday)

Players to watch: Penn State?s David Goodwin earned second star of the week after notching five points on the weekend after a sweep over Michigan. Minnesota?s Mike Reilly leads the nation among defensemen with 32 assists and 38 points.

The latest on the Nittany Lions: Penn State is coming off a weekend upset sweep over the Wolverines. The Nittany Lions rank fourth in the Big Ten Standings and havee a shot to win the regular season title if they sweep Minnesota, and if MSU and Michigan split.

The latest on the Gophers: Minnesota enters the weekend in the hunt of their fourth-straight regular-season conference championship. The Gophers are tied for second in the conference standings and could also win the title if they sweep PSU and if MSU and Michigan split.

In summary: At the beginning of the season, few would think Penn State stands a chance in this road series; after a bad Gopher loss to Ohio State and a solid Penn State sweep over nationally-ranked Michigan, anything is possible at this point in the season.

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OHIO STATE AT WISCONSIN

When: Friday, Mar 13 8 p.m. ET; Saturday, Mar. 14 7p.m. ET

How to watch: Saturday?s game airs live on BTN and both games will air live on BTN2Go (Friday and Saturday)

Players to watch: Ohio State?s Matt Johnson notched a goal and an assist in the upset over Minnesota on Saturday. Senior Badger goaltender Joel Rumpel ranks fourth in the nation with an average of over 30 saves per game.

The latest on the Buckeyes: Ohio State posted a huge upset against Minnesota last Saturday winning 5-2 on senior night. The Buckeyes are fifth in the Big Ten standings with 21 points.

The latest on the Badgers: Wisconsin enters the weekend after getting swept at Michigan State last weekend. The Badgers will honor their six seniors before Saturday?s game.

In summary: There?s not a lot at stake in this matchup other than gaining some momentum in preparation to pull some upsets in the Big Ten Tournament next weekend.