Notre Dame Hockey: Irish Return After 11 Days Off to Overpower Lakers on Home Ice

Hockey returned to the Compton Family Ice Arena Friday as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish took on the Lake Superior State University Lakers. The Lakers headed to South Bend determined to snap their four game losing streak, but the Irish defended their house to chalk up a 5-2 W.

First Period

Right from the puck drop, the Irish went after it on offense, and overshadowed the Lakers’ 6 shots on goal with 10 of their own during the first period. It was Irish forward Mike O’Leary who put the first goal on the board. Notre Dame’s Cal Burke then brought it to 2-0 with another goal toward the end of the period. However, not even 40 seconds later, Lake Superior State’s Max Humitz claimed a goal for the visitors as they upped their aggression.

Second Period

A holding penalty for Lake Superior State’s Jacob Nordqvist left room for the Irish to take a 3-1 lead on the power play. Notre Dame’s Matt Hellickson then scored his team’s third goal of the night.

Third Period

The Irish wasted no time heading into the final twenty minutes and Graham Slaggert took the fourth goal for the Irish just 14 seconds in. The Lakers later pulled goaltender Mareks Mitens, but Mike O’Leary locked it all in for the Irish with an empty netter and his second goal of the night to end it 5-2.

Scoring

Notre Dame: Mike O’Leary at 08:33 in the 1st with assists from Cal Burke and Cam Morrison

Notre Dame: Cal Burke at 17:08 in the 1st with assists from Mike O’Leary and Nick Leivermann

Lake Superior State: Max Humitz at 17:44 in the 1st with assist from Hampus Eriksson

Notre Dame: Matt Hellickson at 06:05 in the 2nd with assists from Cal Burke and Colin Theisen

Notre Dame: Graham Slaggert at 00:14 in the 3rd with assists from Jake Pivonka and Alex Steeves

Lake Superior State: Louis Boudon at 04:52 in the 3rd with assists from Ashton Calder and Pete Veillette

Notre Dame: Mike O’Leary at 17:32 in the 3rd with assists from Cal Burke and Cam Morrison

Penalties

Lake Superior State: Jacob Nordqvist at 05:28 for holding

Notre Dame: Jake Pivonka at 09:56 in the 3rd for interference

Lake Superior State: Max Humitz at 11:38 in the 3rd for interference

Goalies

Notre Dame: Ryan Bischel with 24 saves

Lake Superior State: Mareks Mitens with 27 saves

Moving Forward

The Irish and the Lakers will meet again at 6 p.m. ET tomorrow night at Compton Family Ice Arena. To catch the game on TV, head to NHL Network or NBC Sports Chicago+. Fans can also stream online with NBC Sports, or tune in for the live radio broadcast with und.com.

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