Notre Dame Hockey Falls to Michigan 4-2 in Outdoor Game

Following the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team took to the ice inside Notre Dame Stadium for a game of their own against the Michigan Wolverines.

After an hour delay because of sunlight, both teams began the game tentatively, feeling out their new surroundings. Michigan then jumped out to a lead when Joseph Cecconi threw a puck on net from near center ice that found its way past goalie Cale Morris for an easy 1-0 advantage. Michigan scored again just seconds later for a 2-0 lead and added a third before the period was over.

The Irish were playing from behind early, and finally managed to breakthrough in the second period. A deflection from Cam Morrison on the power play put the Irish on the board, but it was all they would get in the period.

Notre Dame added a second late in the third period when Alex Steeves scored with the extra attacker on the ice, but Michigan added an empty net goal to seal the victory before Notre Dame could pull even.

Michigan managed to crowd the neutral zone all game and prevent Notre Dame from breaking into the offensive zone, often stopping the Irish offense before it could even get started. The Irish struggled to find any momentum and scoring chances until late in the third period.

Despite a few early mistakes and two soft goals, Cale Morris managed to keep the Irish in contention most of the game, saving 38 shots on the night, as Notre Dame was again outshot on the night 42-32.

Scoring

UM - Joseph Cecconi (2) at 4:42 in the 1st, assisted by Nick Pastujov and Nick Blankenburg

UM - Will Lockwood (6) at 4:58 in the 1st, assisted by Nick Pastujov

UM - Nolan Moyle (2) at 9:54 in the 1st, assisted by Dakota Raabe and Luke Martin

ND - Cam Morrison (7) on the PP at 5:30 in the 2nd, assisted by Andrew Peeke and Dylan Malmquist

ND - Alex Steeves (6) at 17:12 in the 3rd, assisted by Jake Pivonka

UM - Dakota Raabe (3) at 19:48 in the 3rd, unassisted

Goalies

ND - Cale Morris saved 38 of 41 shots faced in the loss

UM - Hayden Lavigne saved 30 of 32 shots faced for the win

Penalties

UM - Luke Martin, 2 for interference at 6:29 in the 1st

ND - Cam Morrison, 2 for tripping at 7:47 in the 1st

UM - Nick Pastujov, 2 for hooking at 0:55 in the 2nd

UM - Griffin Luce, 2 for tripping at 5:08 in the 2nd

ND - Andrew Peeke, 2 for tripping at 6:03 in the 3rd

UM - Luke Morgan, 2 for interference at 14:37 in the 3rd

Up Next

Notre Dame next plays this weekend when they welcome the Minnesota Golden Gophers to South Bend for a two game series.