Notre Dame Hockey Ends Losing Streak With Win Over Penn State

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hockey team was back on the ice at Compton Family Ice Arena Saturday night looking for their first win in their last seven games. After their loss to the Penn State Nittany Lions on Friday, the Irish played inspired Hockey from the start and managed to come away with the 3-0 win in their final game of 2019.

First Period

Notre Dame scored first in the opening period to take an early lead that they wouldn’t relinquish. Jesse Lansdell created a turnover below the goal line before passing the puck out to Max Ellis in front of the net. Ellis let a one-timer go that beat Peyton Jones to the empty side of the net for his first career goal. Notre Dame kept pressing and could have added another goal or two if not for stellar goaltending for Ellis. As it stood the Irish took a 1-0 lead into the break.

Second Period

in the second twenty minutes Notre Dame went back to work on offense and managed to take control of the game. At the nine minute mark Matt Hellickson let a pass go from the point across the ice where Alex Steeves was waiting below the faceoff circle, pulling the trigger on a one-timer to double the lead. Later in the period Hellickson was at it again letting a shot go from the top of the zone. The shot went wide and off the boards behind the goal, bouncing out to Graham Slaggert who managed to find the back of the net for the 3-0 lead.

Third Period

With a three goal lead Notre Dame went into a defensive shell in the third period, managing only 1 shot on goal while allowing 13. The Irish held strong though and Cale Morris kept Penn State off the board for his ninth career shutout. Notre Dame nearly added a fourth goal, but hit the post on an empty net attempt late in the period.

Scoring

Notre Dame: Max Ellis (1) at 7:35 in the 1st, assisted by Jesse Lansdell

Notre Dame: Alex Steeves (4) at 9:05 in the 2nd, assisted by Matt Hellickson and Michael Graham

Notre Dame: Graham Slaggert (2) at 15:15 in the 2nd, assisted by Matt Hellickson and Mike O’Leary

Penalties

Notre Dame: Nate Clurman, 2 for hooking at 1:02 in the 1st

Notre Dame: Michael Graham, 2 for holding at 5:11 in the 2nd

Penn State: Cole Hutts, 2 for interference at 6:56 in the 2nd

Notre Dame: Colin Theisen, 2 for tripping at 17:53 in the 2nd

Penn State: Cole Hutts, 2 for tripping at 19:31 in the 3rd

Notre Dame: Colin Theisen, 2 for hooking at 19:49 in the 3rd

Goalies

Notre Dame: Cale Morris saved all 37 shots he faced for the shutout win

Penn State: Peyton Jones allowed 3 goals on 23 shots in the loss

Up Next

Notre Dame is out of action until January. They return with a home-and-home series on January 3rd and 5th against the Western Michigan Broncos.