MADISON, Wis. – The University of Notre Dame hockey team fell 3-7 in game one at University of Wisconsin, Friday night inside the Kohl Center. Despite an even push through the final 40 minutes of play, a four-goal first period deficit proved too much to overcome for the Irish in game one of the weekend series.
Wisconsin opened the scoring early in the first with a shot that sailed over Say’s glove. The heated contest led to some pushing and shoving on the blue line at 9:56, which sent an Irish skater to the box for interference and Notre Dame’s penalty kill unit was tested for the first time of the night. The kill was short-lived as the Badgers were called for an interference infraction of their own 65 seconds later which made it four-on-four hockey for 55 seconds.
The Badgers would score twice more before Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach Jeff Jackson made a change in goal with 6:25 to play in the first, sending Nicholas Kempf to the crease in relief of Owen Say.
Wisconsin would sneak one past Kempf before the end of the period to make it a 4-0 contest through 20 minutes played.
Cole Knuble sparked the Irish offense just 27 seconds into the second period as the forward line of Danny Nelson, Brennan Ali and Knuble created an odd man rush up ice into the Wisconsin zone to get on the board.
A powerplay goal by D. Nelson less than three minutes into the second period cut the Badgers lead in half as he sent a shot top shelf for his 12th of the season.
The Badgers headed to the box for two minutes halfway through the second for boarding. Axel Kumlin had a shot on goal with one second remaining in the powerplay but could not convert.
Two quick goals from the Badgers offense had them reclaim their four-goal lead as the Irish trailed 6-2 with 7:46 remaining in the second.
The score would remain stagnant through the end of the frame as the Irish fought to overcome the four-goal deficit in the third.
The Irish opened the final frame down a pair of starters as a pair of penalties went against the visitors just 20 seconds into the period and the Irish were tasked with a five-on-three disadvantage for a full two minutes.
The kill successfully lasted 1:54 before a hooking call against the Badgers sent them to the box as Knuble tried to clear the puck. The Irish returned to full strength and saw their fourth powerplay opportunity of the night.
Janicke added another powerplay tally for the Irish Friday night when he batted the puck from midair at 3:42 of the third.
The Badgers would get one back before the final horn as the Irish fell on the road in game one of the weekend series, 7-3.
GOALS
- Paul Fischer chipped the puck out from along the boards to Danny Nelson who created an odd-man rush up ice before Cole Knuble backhanded a shot five-hole past Tommy Scarfone in the Badgers net to get the Irish on the board.
- The younger Nelson then added to his point total with a powerplay goal less than three minutes later to draw the Irish within two. Justin Janicke carried the puck along the boards before centering a pass to Blake Biondi who fought off his defender as Janicke regained the puck on his stick and fed a pass to Nelson at the near hashmarks.
- Janicke gave the Irish their third goal of the night after batting a shot out of midair on the doorstep of the crease early in the third Friday for his 12th of the season. D. Nelson and Knuble each tallied assists on the play.
KEY STATS
- With the second goal for the Irish of the night, Danny Nelson tallied his 12th goal of the season, tying the team leader Blake Biondi.
- Justin Janicke’s goal in the third was his 12th of the season, tying that of Nelson and Biondi as the trio now sit tied for the team-best. The 12 goals in a single season is a career best for both Nelson and Janicke.
- Biondi laced up his skates for career game No. 150 Friday night, having appeared in all 31 games for the Irish this season.
- Friday’s contest marked career game No. 100 for senior forward Tyler Carpenter in a Blue and Gold sweater.
- Knuble now boasts 32 points on the season, the most for an Irish player since Alex Steeves in the 2020-21 season. His 22 assists as a sophomore is also the most among all Irish skaters since Bobby Nardella in the 2018-19 season.
- The sophomore is currently nominated for the elusive Hobey Baker Memorial Award as the lone Irish representative. Fans may vote for Knuble once per day until March 9th at hobeybaker.com/vote.
UP NEXT
The two teams will meet for a final time on Saturday for a 7:30pm puck drop to close out the weekend series. The Irish will close out the regular 2024-25 season next weekend at home facing the Michigan State Spartans.