NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Irish hockey program closed out its regular season road slate last weekend with a split at Wisconsin, including a dominant 6-1 victory Saturday evening to cue up the final week of the regular season. With four points in two games on the road, including Saturday’s game-winner, senior forward Justin Janicke has been named Third Star of the Week, as announced by the Big Ten Conference Tuesday.
Janicke registered two powerplay goals on the weekend, including one with just 5.6 seconds to play in the first period Saturday that proved to be the eventual game-winner. He added an assist both nights to his tally, finishing the weekend with two goals and two assists for four points. The senior now boasts a career-best 31 points on the year (13-18-31) which ranks second on the team.
With two goals against the Badgers, Janicke’s 13 total on the season is tied for a team-best and was the first to the mark before fellow Maple Grove, Minnesota native Danny Nelson recorded his 13th of the year later in Saturday’s game.
In addition to his four point weekend, Janicke stepped up defensively with three blocked shots. As a key part of the first penalty kill unit, Janicke assisted the team in successfully killing off all four penalties, including a five-minute major late in the third period which saw the Badgers lead a six-on-four advantage.
In addition to playing on the first PK unit, Janicke is an integral part of the team’s first powerplay team that is operating at a 23-percent success rate. His two powerplay goals on the weekend marked his fifth and sixth of the season.
With his goals in back-to-back games at Wisconsin, Janicke is on a three-game goal-streak – the first of his career – and boasts seven points in his last four games (3-4-7).
Janicke and his fellow graduating class will be honored this Friday night, prior to puck drop against Michigan State, as part of the team’s senior night celebration.