Notre Dame Hockey Takes Five Points Over the Weekend Against Michigan State

For the second week in a row, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team played a crucial conference matchup. Also for the second week in a row, Notre Dame took five points from the weekend, winning the first game before playing to a tie and winning the second game in a shootout, this time against the Michigan State Spartans.

Notre Dame now sits second in the Big Ten, four points behind Ohio State and one point ahead of Minnesota.

Game 1

Notre Dame opened the scoring on Friday night late in the first period. Dylan Malmquist fired a shot high and into the net from the left circle with just over three minutes left in the opening period.

Early in the second Notre Dame doubled the lead when Malmquist scored his second of the night on the power play. Michigan State pulled back within one goal just over three minutes later, but Notre Dame added two more goals, 27 seconds apart, late in the second for a 4-1 lead.

Notre Dame opened the third period on the offensive, and scored two goals within the first five minutes of the period. Michigan State added two goals in the third, but Notre Dame had already put this one away and held on for the 6-3 win.

Notre Dame scored three power play goals on the night, an encouraging sign considering the team has struggled at times this season on the man advantage. Cale Morris, however, was forced to make 49 saves on the night. Without his performance the score could have looked much different. Games like this can certainly wear on a goalie as the season moves along and Morris’ usage will be something to keep an eye on as postseason tournaments approach.

Scoring

ND - Dylan Malmquist (7) at 16:30 in the 1st, assisted by Michael Graham and Mike O’Leary

ND - Dylan Malmquist (8) on the PP at 2:48 in the 2nd, assisted by Bobby Nardella and Mike O’Leary

MSU - Cody Milan (5) at 6:25 in the 2nd, assisted by Patrick Khodorenko and Mitchell Lewandowski

ND - Cam Burke (2) at 18:20 in the 2nd, assisted by Matt Hellickson and Colin Theisen

ND - Tory Dello (2) at 18:47 in the 2nd, assisted by Michael Graham and Mike O’Leary

ND - Michael Graham (6) on the PP at 1:53 in the 3rd, assisted by Andrew Peeke and Mike O’Leary

ND - Michael Graham (7) on the PP at 4:12 in the 3rd, assisted by Dylan Malmquist and Bobby Nardella

MSU - Taro Hirose (12) at 10:09 in the 3rd, assisted by Patrick Khodorenko

MSU - Cody Milan (6) at 10:31 in the 3rd, assisted by Logan Lambdin and Adam Goodsir

Goalies

ND - Cale Morris saved 49 of 52 shots to earn the victory

MSU - John Lethemon made 25 saves on 31 shots in the loss

Penalties

MSU - Cole Krygier, 2 for cross-checking at 8:59 in the 1st

ND - Mike O’Leary, 2 for high-sticking at 8:59 in the 1st

MSU - Zach Osburn, 2 for holding at 2:13 in the 2nd

ND - Mike O’Leary, 2 for cross-checking at 4:42 in the 2nd

ND - Jack Jenkins, 2 for hooking at 6:03 in the 2nd

MSU - Cole Krygier, 2 for elbowing at 1:40 in the 3rd

MSU - Mitchell Lewandowski, 2 for interference at 3:41 in the 3rd

MSU - Logan Lambdin, 2 for tripping at 4:37 in the third

ND - Bobby Nardella, 2 for hooking at 13:15 in the 3rd

ND - Bobby Nardella, 2 for slashing at 16:59 in the 3rd

Game 2

The first period of game two passed by rather quietly. Both teams had their chances, but there was no score after the first 20 minutes. The second period started quickly though when Michigan State scored the opening goal less than a minute in.

Notre Dame wouldn’t find the equalizer until the third period, when Bobby Nardella found the net with a wrist shot with only three minutes remaining. The two teams played through two overtimes without a goal before Notre Dame finally won in a shootout. Tory Dello scored in the shootout for the Irish and Cale Morris made two saves to earn the extra point.

Notre Dame did well to battle back and tie the game before earning the win in the shootout, but they were unlucky not to take the game in regulation. The Irish outshot the Spartans on the night and hit the post twice in the third period (not considered shots on goal). A night after allowing 52 shots on netminder Cale Morris, the Irish also gave up only 30 shots. Consistent performances like this will be crucial for the remainder of the season.

Scoring

MSU - Taro Hirose (13) at 0:33 in the 2nd, assisted by Mitchell Lewandowski

ND - Bobby Nardella (7) at 17:00 in the 3rd, assisted by Graham Slaggert and Jake Pivonka

Goalies

ND - Cale Morris made 29 saves on 30 shots

MSU - Jake DeRidder saved 34 of 35 shots

Penalties

ND - Tory Dello, 2 for hooking at 2:02 in the 1st

ND - Jake Pivonka, 2 for elbowing at 6:17 in the 1st

MSU - Brenna Sanford, 2 for interference at 9:28 in the 1st

MSU - Butrus Ghafari, 2 for interference at 1:02 in the 3rd

MSU - Dennis Cesana, 2 for cross-checking at 3:54 in the 3rd

MSU - Cody Milan, 2 for hooking at 7:01 in the 3rd

ND - Andrew Peeke, 2 for tripping at 11:54 in the 3rd

MSU - Mitchell Lewandowski, 2 for embellishment at 17:58 in the 3rd

ND - Andrew Peeke, 2 for high-sticking at 17:58 in the 3rd

Up Next

The Irish head to Columbus, Ohio next weekend for a series with the Big Ten leading Ohio State Buckeyes. A sweep would put Notre Dame into first place in the conference with only a month remaining in the regular season.