Notre Dame Hockey Falls to Ohio State 2-1

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hockey team was back in action on Saturday night in Columbus against the Ohio State Buckeyes. After officially going down as a tie, the Irish took the win and the extra point in the Big a Ten standings in a shootout. Notre Dame couldn’t complete the sweep though as the offense dried up in their 2-1 loss.

First Period

The first period started quietly enough, with nearly 12 minutes passing before Notre Dame struck first. Spencer Stastney cycled behind the net with the puck before firing a pass to Matt Steeves who was open in the slot. Steeves let go a quick shot that found the back of the net and gave the Irish the 1-0 lead. The lead was short lived though as Quinn Preston tied the game for Ohio State 4 minutes later.

Second Period

Ohio State jumped out early in the second with the help of their power play, taking the lead less than 2 minutes into the period. Cale Morris came up big in the second period to hold the game to one goal, including clearing the puck off the goal line during another Buckeye power play midway through the period. There would be no more goals in the period though.

Third Period

Notre Dame came out firing in the third period looking for the tying goal. They managed 16 shots in the period but weren’t able to convert and the game ended with the same 2-1 score.

Scoring

Notre Dame: Matt Steeves (1) at 11:31 in the 1st, assisted by Spencer Stastney and Pierce Crawford

Ohio State: Quinn Preston (9) at 15:33 in the 1st, assisted by Tanner Laczynski

Ohio State: Gustaf Westlund (12) on the PP at 1:42 in the 2nd, assisted by Tanner Laczynski and Grant Gabriele

Penalties

Notre Dame: Colin Theisen, 2 for interference at 0:56 in the 2nd

Notre Dame: Tory Dello, 2 for tripping at 7:24 in the 2nd

Notre Dame: Jake Pivonka, 2 for tripping at 15:07 in the 2nd

Ohio State: Carson Meyer, 2 for cross-checking at 20:00 in the 3rd

Goalies

Notre Dame: Cale Morris made 14 saves on 16 shots in the loss

Ohio State: Ryan Snowden saved 28 of 29 shots for the win

Up Next

Notre Dame returns home next weekend for a series with the Wisconsin Badgers January 24 and 25 at Compton Family Ice Arena.