SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame hockey program fell 3-0 Sunday evening against Penn State in game two of the season series.
In traditional Penn State fashion, they came out shooting early as Owen Say registered six big saves in the first three minutes of play.
The Irish then controlled puck possession in their own offensive end for a bit but were unable to find the back of the net and the game remained scoreless through the first five minutes.
After the Nittany Lions jumped out a quick 9-2 edge in shots on goal, the Irish rallied and cut the disadvantage to two shots on net as they reached double-digit shots just over 13 minutes in. Posting two shots on goal from the doorstep, Michael Mastrodomenico drew a tripping penalty and the Irish saw their first powerplay opportunity of the night at 13:44 of the first frame.
Cole Knuble came inches from opening the scoring Sunday evening but his shot went just wide passed the sprawled out netminder to keep it scoreless.
The Irish were called with a trip of their own shortly after the Nittany Lions’ infraction expired and Notre Dame was tasked with the kill.
Defending their end well through the final three minutes, of which two were on the kill, the Irish and Nittany Lions skated to the locker rooms after 20 minutes of play still looking for the opening goal.
The Nittany Lions scored two quick goals early in the second to take a 2-0 lead as their goals came just 27 seconds apart.
The home Irish saw their second powerplay chance of the night just 3:50 into the second period, looking to cut the score in half. Justin Janicke fired a sharp one-timer towards the net but could not beat the goaltender and the visitors recorded the kill.
Shortly after their first penalty of the period, the Nittany Lions were caught with too many men on the ice and were forced to sit for two minutes. Axel Kumlin and Blake Biondi recorded consecutive shots early on the man-advantage but could not find twine and the special teams unit continued to press.
Penn State was called for a trip with just under five minutes to go in the second period but it was quickly negated after an Irish penalty made it four-on-four for 63 seconds.
A late penalty against the Nittany Lions gave the Irish 12 seconds of powerplay before the end of the period but they trailed by a pair heading into the break.
The Nittany Lions extended their lead with a breakaway chance six minutes into the third period to make it a three-goal game as the Irish continued to look for an answer but could not find twine through the remainder of the game as they fell 3-0 Sunday night.
UP NEXT
The homestand continues next weekend as the Irish host Big Ten rival Michigan for a two game series, Jan. 10-11.