By: Gwyneth Passinault
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame Hockey team will face a familiar foe this weekend as they take on No. 1/1 ranked Michigan State on Friday at 7pm and Saturday at 6pm. On Friday night, the team will honor those who serve, or have served, as part of the annual Military Appreciation Night hosted by the team. Members from Notre Dame’s ROTC program will rappel from the rafters to deliver a ceremonial game puck following a crowd-sung national anthem.
This series will mark the 152nd and 153rd all-time meeting between the two programs. The long running battle between the Irish and the Spartans adds another chapter this weekend after the teams last met in the 2025 Big Ten Playoff semifinal. This was a tightly contested matchup that ended Notre Dame’s 2024-25 season.
In last year’s playoff game, Irish alum Owen Say had a remarkable 45-save effort between the pipes, with the game’s lone goal coming just 19 seconds into the third period as Michigan State would capitalize on a penalty from Notre Dame late in the second period.
In all-time meetings, the Irish hold a 53-82-16 record against the Spartans, but when the Irish host on home ice they boast an all-time record of 33-31-11. Last season, the teams met five times, four in the regular season and once in the Big Ten Playoffs.
Several returning skaters made their mark in last year’s series at Munn Ice Arena. Danny Nelson led Notre Dame in scoring against the Spartans with five points, both of his goals coming in the opening game in Michigan. Paul Fischer and Cole Knuble both chipped in three assists a piece, with Axel Kumlin and Michael Mastrodomenico adding two points to the team’s offensive effort. The series also featured an exciting night for now-sophomore Jack Larrigan, who marked his first collegiate point with an assist in game one of the 2024-25 series.
As the Irish prepare for the home series, they will look to improve their home all-time record against the Spartans and rewrite last year’s story. With a new season underway under new leadership and new energy, the battle will once again be tested when the puck drops Friday night.
SERIES OVERVIEW
Opponent: #1/1 Michigan State (Nov. 14-15)
Location: South Bend, Ind.
Schedule: Fri. 7pm ET | Sat. 6pm ET
TV: Peacock
Live Stats: FightingIrish.com
Radio: fightingirish.com/radioaffiliates/
Game Notes: Notre Dame