SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame hockey team dropped a 6-3 battle with No. 4/4 Minnesota Friday night inside Compton Family Ice Arena. Three powerplay goals against, including two on a major infraction, sealed it for the Irish as they fall to 5-8-0 on the season.
The Irish thought they had scored early as Minnesota native Grant Silianoff buried a shot top corner but the Golden Gophers challenged for offsides and were successful just 1:51 into play.
Notre Dame responded shortly after with a sure tally off the stick of Hunter Strand to take the official 1-0 lead at 2:56 of the first period.
The Golden Gophers responded with a goal of their own at 6:30 to even it up less than halfway through the opening stanza.
The Irish continued to pressure the Minnesota net late in the frame but a whistle for cross-checking with 14 seconds left would send them to the box and close out the period on the kill.
With the Minnesota powerplay carrying over into the second period, the Golden Gophers took advantage 48 seconds into the frame as the Irish faced their first deficit of the night.
Notre Dame was called for a high-stick infraction at 2:05 of the second period, managing to generate a bit of offense while on the kill to keep the Gophers off the net while down a man.
After an Irish attacker was dragged down at the blueline on the rush, the Golden Gophers took the puck down the other way but Justin Janicke jumped in front of a shot before Owen Say made a pad save to keep it a one-goal game. Cole Knuble was found on the breakaway moments later but his shot hit the chest of Nathan Airey in the Minnesota net and the score remained.
Axel Kumlin drew a penalty at 11:05 of the second period to give Notre Dame their first powerplay opportunity of the night. Despite chances, the Irish could not convert on the opportunity and Minnesota returned to full strength.
The Golden Gophers would extend their lead at 14:46 of the second period when a blocked shot deflected right onto the stick of a Minnesota skater in front of the net.
Shortly after, Minnesota caught a breakaway chance but an Irish defender chased him down and negated a scoring chance for the Golden Gophers. After the Irish skater was called for a hook, Minnesota was awarded a penalty shot. Say stood his ground in net, closing the gap on the Minnesota skater to keep it a two-goal game late in the frame.
Jack Larrigan’s first collegiate goal drew the Irish within one at 17:34 of the second period with a shot from the slot.
With just over 1:30 to play in the second period, the Irish were called for kneeing and headed to a five-minute penalty kill.
The Golden Gophers would capitalize late on the man-advantage to take the 4-2 lead into the final intermission. Minnesota would score once more on the major opportunity to take the 5-2 lead.
Notre Dame saw its second powerplay opportunity of the night at 10:46 of the third period after Minnesota was called for a slash. The Golden Gophers challenged a previous hit prior to their penalty but were unsuccessful in the challenge and were assessed their timeout.
The Irish failed to convert on the powerplay opportunity and continued to trail by three with under seven minutes to play in regulation.
Minnesota was called for a charge at 14:37 of the third period and the Irish wasted no time converting on the man-advantage as Blake Biondi lit the lamp at 15:44 of the third.
With just under three minutes to play in the third, the Irish opted for the extra attacker but it was Minnesota that would score again Friday night, finding the empty net for the 6-3 final.
GOALS
- Blake Biondi capitalized on a failed shot at the Minnesota blueline, grabbing the loose puck and skating through the neutral zone before finding Hunter Strand for his third goal of the season.
- Jack Larrigan’s shot from the slot found twine at 17:34 of the second period, with assists from Carter Slaggert and Ryan Helliwell. The goal was the rookie’s first collegiate tally, having previously picked up an assist last weekend at Michigan State for his first career point.
- Paul Fischer picked up the puck behind the Irish net to set up the top powerplay unit’s rush up ice. The sophomore defenseman fed a pass up ice to Danny Nelson who carried it into the offensive zone before centering a pass to Cole Knuble who left the puck on the doorstep for Biondi to bury a shot through the five-hole of Airey.
KEY STATS
- Jack Larrigan net his first collegiate tally Friday night with a goal late in the second period. After recording his first collegiate point a week ago at Michigan State, the rookie now boasts two on the season and has tallied a point in two of his last three games played.
- With two points Friday night, Blake Biondi led the team. The graduate forward scored a powerplay goal late in the third period to spark an offensive surge for the home team but it was not enough as the team ultimately fell to the Golden Gophers.
- Cole Knuble’s assist in the third period was his eighth of the season and 14th of the season for a team best in both categories.
UP NEXT
The Irish close out their 2024 home slate Saturday with the series finale with Minnesota. Puck drop on game two of the weekend is set for 6pm.