Notre Dame Hockey: Irish Fall to Minnesota in Big Ten Opener

After a splitting a home series against the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers, the no. 14 Notre Dame Fighting Irish hit the road again this week, making the trip to 3M Arena at Mariucci to face the no. 7 Minnesota Golden Gophers. The series was the Big Ten opener for both schools, who split their four contests last season.

First Period

Despite being out-shot 9-4 through the first twenty, it was Minnesota who opened up the scoring thanks to a textbook wraparound goal by Ben Meyers. The teams took turns going on the man advantage in the first, but the Gophers PK held the Irish to just one shot on net, while the Irish PK remained perfect on the season.

Second Period

After dodging a check by Trevor Janicke, Bryce Brodzinski doubled the Minnesota lead by firing a wrist shot past Matthew Galajda. Just like in the opening period, both teams found themselves on the power-play in the second, but failed to capitalize. Carl Fish nearly extended the lead in the closing minutes of the period, but was denied by Galajda.

Third Period

Graham Slaggert made it a one-goal game in the third after putting his own rebound past Jack LaFontaine, thanks to a Minnesota turnover at center ice. The goal was his second of the season and assisted by his younger brother, Landon Slaggert. However, a Mason Nevers backhander went over the glove of Galajda to put Minnesota back up by two. Blake McLaughlin then tacked on an empty netter to seal it for the Gophers.

Game Summary

Scoring

Minnesota: Ben Meyers at 14:46 in the 1st, assisted by Ryan Johnson

Minnesota: Bryce Brodzinski at 05:50 in the 2nd, assisted by Ryan Johnson

Notre Dame: Graham Slaggert at 05:31 in the 3rd, assisted by Landon Slaggert

Minnesota: Mason Never at 18:04 in the 3rd, assisted by Matthew Knies and Matt Staudacher

Minnesota: Blake McLaughlin (ENG) at 19:59 in the 3rd, assisted by Jack Perbix

Penalties

Minnesota: Rhett Pitlick for hooking at 06:41 in the 1st

Notre Dame: Grant Silianoff for slashing at 16:35 in the 1st

Notre Dame: Grant Silianoff for tripping at 13:05 in the 2nd

Minnesota: Carl Fish for roughing at 15:49 in the 2nd

Minnesota: Jaxon Nelson for roughing at 00:00 in the 3rd

Notre Dame: Solag Bakich for tripping at 06:26 in the 3rd

Goalies

Notre Dame: Matthew Galajda, 25 saves

Minnesota: Jack LaFontaine, 28 saves

Moving Forward

The Irish will conclude their series with Minnesota on Saturday, October 30, at 6:00 PM ET. The game can be streamed on Big Ten Network Plus.