Big Ten Hockey Tournament: Notre Dame Loses to Minnesota to Even Series

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team continued their quarterfinal series against the Minnesota Golden Gophers with game 2 on Saturday. Notre Dame came into the game with a 1-0 lead in the series, but the offense struggled in game 2 and Minnesota came away with the win to even the series.

First Period

Notre Dame controlled the game in the first period, outshooting Minnesota 13-3. It was Minnesota that left the first period with a lead though, scoring just a minute and a half into the game and carrying that 1-0 lead into the intermission.

Second Period

The second period evened out in terms of shots but passed with no goals scored, meaning Minnesota maintained their 1-0 lead into the third.

Third Period

Minnesota doubled their lead 3 minutes into the period, beating Cale Morris to go up 2-0. From there Notre Dame went to work and finally got on the scoreboard on the power play when Cam Morrison scored from the top of the crease. Notre Dame kept applying pressure, even hitting the post several times, but couldn’t find the equalizer and Minnesota held on to force game 3.

Scoring

Minnesota: Ryan Zuhlsdorf (1) at 1:24 in the 1st, assisted by Sammy Walker and Blake McLaughlin

Minnesota: Cullen Munson (2) at 3:27 in the 3rd, assisted by Jonny Sorenson and Joey Marooney

Notre Dame: Cam Morrison (12) on the PP at 10:14 in the 3rd, assisted by Michael Graham and Alex Steeves

Penalties

Notre Dame: Trevor Janicke, 2 for hooking at 5:17 in the 1st

Minnesota: Blake McLaughlin, 2 for roughing at 9:21 in the 1st

Notre Dame: Bench, 2 for too many players at 10:32 in the 2nd

Notre Dame: Matt Hellickson, 2 for tripping at 5:19 in the 3rd

Minnesota: Matt Staudacher, 2 for boarding at 8:43 in the 3rd

Goalies

Notre Dame: Cale Morris made 18 saves on 20 shots in the loss

Minnesota: Jack LaFontaine saved 30 of 31 shots for the win

Up Next

The two teams play again on Sunday at 7:00pm ET in the deciding game 3 of the series.