Notre Dame Hockey Beats Air Force, Sweeps Series

After opening the season with a win Friday night, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hockey team completed the sweep today over the Air Force Falcons with a 6-1 win. Notre Dame opened the game quickly and controlled possession almost from start to finish, although the offense didn’t have much to show for it until a four goal outburst in the third period. With the win the Irish improved to 2-0 on the young season.

First Period

Notre Dame began the game on the offensive and opened the scoring early. Three minutes into the game Cam Morrison intercepted the puck in the neutral and carried into the zone from the right wing, eventually letting go a shot from the faceoff circle that beat Air Force goaltender Zach LaRocque on the far side. Notre Dame kept pressing but couldn’t find a second goal and eventually Air Force tied the game when Max Harper deflected a shot past Irish goaltender Ryan Bischel with just over two minutes remaining.

Second Period

Notre Dame went to the power play early in the second and managed to regain the lead with a textbook team goal. After several passes the puck ended up on the stick of Tory Dello at the top of the zone. He then found an open Matt Hellickson at the top of the circle who fired a one-timer into net. The 2-1 lead would stand for the remainder of the period.

Third Period

Notre Dame struck again early in the third period, again on the power play after an Air Force penalty for a hit from behind on Hellickson in the neutral zone. Colin Theisen managed to get his stick on a shot right in front of goal, deflecting the puck up and over the shoulder of LaRocque before it fell into the corner behind him. From there the route was on. Cal Burke scored before Theisen added his second. Jake Pivonka ended the game with a goal of his own with just .9 seconds remaining.

Game Summary

Scoring

Notre Dame: Cam Morrison (2) at 3:00 in the first, unassisted

Air Force: Max Harper (1) at 17:47 in the first, assisted by Zack Mirageas and Trevor Stone

Notre Dame: Matt Hellickson (1) on the PP at 2:54 in the second, assisted by Tory Dello and Mike O’Leary

Notre Dame: Colin Theisen (2) on the PP at 0:35 in the third, assisted by Spencer Stastney and Mike O’Leary

Notre Dame: Cal Burke (2) at 4:20 in the third, assisted by Mike O’Leary and Colin Theisen

Notre Dame: Colin Theisen (3) at 6:57 in the third, assisted by Tory Dello and Cal Burke

Notre Dame: Jake Pivonka (1) at 19:59 in the third, assisted by Nick Leivermann and Graham Slaggert

Goalies

Notre Dame: Ryan Bischel made 22 saves on 23 shots for the win

Air Force: Zack LaRocque made 20 saves on 25 shots in the loss

Air Force: Alex Schilling saved 6 of 7 shots in relief

Penalties

Notre Dame: Nate Clurman 2:00 for boarding at 11:53 in the first

Air Force: Willie Reim 2:00 for roughing at 2:38 in the second

Air Force: Zack Mirageas 2:00 for holding the stick at 11:02 in the second

Air Force: Matt Pulver 2:00 for hitting from behind at 0:20 in the third

Air Force: Jake Levin 2:00 for roughing at 0:20 in the third

Notre Dame: Tory Dello 2:00 for roughing at 0:20 in the third

Notre Dame: Jake Pivonka 2:00 for high-sticking at 14:58 in the third

Up Next

Notre Dame is off next weekend before returning to action at the Compton Family Ice Arena on October 25 and 26 with a home series against the Lake Superior State Lakers.