Notre Dame Hockey Advances to Big Ten Semifinal after sweep of Michigan State

After a win on Friday night, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team was back in action for game two of the Big Ten quarterfinals against the Michigan State Spartans.

Notre Dame jumped out to an early lead just 2:01 into the game. Jack Jenkins centered the puck from the corner that found Pierce Crawford. Crawford beat Spartan goalie John Lethemon on the backhand for the 1-0 lead.

After a shutout in game one, Cale Morris picked up right where he left off for Notre Dame. Morris made 10 saves in the first period to keep the Irish in the lead.

Notre Dame doubled their advantage in the middle of the second. With the Irish short handed, Graham Slaggert forced a turnover and started a two on two rush with Cal Burke. Burke entered the offensive zone with the puck and passed to Slaggert who beat Lethemon for his first career short handed goal and a 2-0 lead.

Morris made a huge save in the second to maintain the Irish lead. As a Spartan penalty ended, Jerad Rosburg ended up with a breakaway as he got out of the penalty box but was stopped by Morris. Morris made another eight saves in the third period to maintain the shutout, and Notre Dame held on for the win. With the win, Notre Dame swept Michigan State in the Big Ten quarterfinals and now advances to the semifinals next weekend.

Scoring

ND - Pierce Crawford (2) at 2:01 in the 1st, assisted by Jack Jenkins

ND - Graham Slaggert (3) at 10:38 in the 2nd, assisted by Cal Burke

Goalies

ND - Cale Morris stopped all 28 shots he faced for the shutout win

MSU - John Lethemon made 21 saves on 23 shots in the loss

Penalties

ND - Jack Jenkins, 2 for holding at 13:45 in the 1st

MSU - Jerad Rosburg, 2 for hooking at 18:50 in the 1st

MSU - Butrus Ghafari, 2 elbowing at 20:00 in the 1st

MSU - Patrick Khodorenko, 2 for interference at 2:50 in the 2nd

ND - Andrew Peeke, 2 for elbowing at 9:14 in the 2nd

MSU - Zach Osburn, 2 for slashing at 13:26 in the 3rd

Up Next

With the win Notre Dame now advances to the Big Ten semifinal. Notre Dame will host the Minnesota Golden Gophers at home at Compton Family Ice Arena next Saturday March 16.