Notre Dame Hockey Ties Michigan State on Senior Night

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish Hockey team closed out the regular season on Saturday night, honoring their seniors against the Michigan State Spartans. Following a late surge from the Irish offense, the two teams played to a 2-2 tie before Notre Dame earned the extra point by winning the shootout.

First Period

The Irish peppered the Spartan goal in the first period, managing 15 shots in the first 20 minutes. Neither team could find a goal though and the period ended 0-0.

Second Period

The roles were reversed in the second period, with the Spartans taking 12 to Notre Dame’s 4. This time the Spartans found the breakthrough early on in the period and went into the 3rd with the 1-9 lead.

Third Period

Michigan State doubled their lead early in the 3rd and it stayed that way until 5 minutes remaining when the Irish offense went to work. Alex Steeves started things off for the Irish with a wrist shot from the slot that got the Irish on the board. Less than two minutes later Cam Morrison tied things up, deflecting a pass from Cal Burke into the net.

Overtime

Neither team could find the winning goal in the 5-on-5 or 3-on-3 overtime and the game went to a shootout for the extra point in the Big Ten standings.

Shootout

Michigan State started things off with a goal from Patrick Khodorenko, however, upon review it was determined that he moved backwards and the goal was waved off. Notre Dame was up with a chance to win, and Tory Dello ended the game with a quick wrist shot goal.

Scoring

Michigan State: Logan Lambdin (7) at 5:41 in the 2nd, assisted by Dennis Cesana

Michigan State: Josh Nodler (3) at 2:28 in the 3rd, assisted by Logan Lambdin and Jagger Joshua

Notre Dame: Alex Steeves (10) at 15:12 in the 3rd, assisted by Graham Slaggert and Spencer Stastney

Notre Dame: Cam Morrison (11) at 16:57 in the 3rd, assisted by Cal Burke and Michael Graham

Penalties

Notre Dame: Cam Morrison, 2 for high-sticking at 12:35 in the 1st

Michigan State: Logan Lambdin, 2 for high-sticking at 12:58 in the 1st

Michigan State: Nicolas Müller, 2 for tripping at 6:40 in the 3rd

Goalies

Notre Dame: Cale Morris made 22 saves on 24 shots

Michigan State: John Lethemon made 35 saves on 37 shots

Up Next

With the regular season now over, Notre Dame begins the Big Ten tournament with their sights on a third straight title. The Irish finished 5th in the Big Ten and will travel to take on the 4th seed Minnesota Golden Gophers next weekend in a best-of-three series.