Notre Dame Hockey: Irish Finish Out Michigan Series With 3-1 Loss

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish took on the Michigan Wolverines at Compton Family Ice Arena Friday for a shot at redemption following Thursday’s 5-1 loss to visitors in South Bend. The Irish defense may have had a more solid showing the second time around, but the Wolverines still overpowered the Irish 3-1.

First Period

The Irish and the Wolverines may have matched with 12 shots each over the course of the first period, it was the Michigan squad that set the tone with a goal from Michael Pastujov less than two minutes into the game.

Second Period

Notre Dame’s Alex Steeves responded about five minutes into the second with an Irish goal, his seventh of the season, to tie it 1-1. During this period, the Irish outshot the Wolverines 15-13.

Third Period

The slight burst in Irish momentum was not enough to fuel a Notre Dame lead in the third. About halfway through the period, Michigan’s Jay Keranen snatched a second goal for the Wolverines to get the lead. Just four minutes later, Wolverine Brendan Brisson topped it off with another goal to bring it to 3-1, Michigan. The Irish pulled netminder Dylan St. Cyr, but the Wolverines had already gotten it done, and Notre Dame fell to the Wolverines for the second time in the weekend’s two-game series.

Game Summary

Scoring

Michigan: Michael Pastujov at 01:21 in the 1st with assists from Owen Power and Thomas Bordeleau

Notre Dame: Alex Steeves at 04:39 in the 2nd with assists from Graham Slaggert and Spencer Stastney

Michigan: Jay Keranen at 12:05 in the 3rd with assists from Johnny Beecher and Eric Ciccolini

Michigan: Brendan Brisson at 16:05 in the 3rd with assists from Nolan Moyle and Thomas Bordeleau

Penalties

Notre Dame: Zach Plucinski at 10:48 in the 2nd for hitting after whistle

Michigan: Nolan Moyle at 10:48 in the 2nd for hitting after whistle

Michigan: Johnny Beecher at 05:04 in the 3rd for boarding

Notre Dame: Landon Slaggert at 19:00 in the 3rd for charging

Goalies

Notre Dame: Dylan St. Cyr, 32 saves

Michigan: Strauss Mann, 35 saves

Moving Forward

The Irish will play the Penn State Nittany Lions on Thursday, January 28 in University Park. Game time, and networks carrying the game are TBA.

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