By: Connor Toomey
South Bend, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame Hockey team returns to Compton Family Ice Arena this weekend for the final homestand of the regular season against the fifth-ranked Nittany Lions of Penn State University this Friday and Saturday (Feb. 27-28). Friday’s puck drop is scheduled for 7pm as fans are invited to Fan Appreciation Night in Compton, presented by Jordan Lexus of Mishawaka. Early arriving Irish faithful will receive a green beanie hat, while supplies last. Saturday night, the series concludes with Senior Night and Irish Wear Green with puck drop set for 6pm. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as this year’s senior class will be honored in an on-ice celebration, while fans can enjoy a green t-shirt & pom-pom giveaway.
As the Irish get set to host Penn State, the programs will meet for the 46th and 47th time in their all-time history. The two squads will write the final chapter of their 2025-26 regular season story after previously clashing with one another back in January at Pegula Ice Arena. Notre Dame aims to even the series at home following two hard fought contests that went in favor of the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley earlier this year.
A series that began in the 1983-84 season, Notre Dame looks to build upon their all-time record against Penn State where the Irish hold a record of 24-14-7. At Compton, Notre Dame owns a tally of 15 wins, six losses, and one tie in the series.
In their previous matchup, sophomore defenseman Jimmy Jurcev set a new career high for assists in a game with two. Graduate forward Sutter Muzzatti also recorded a multi-point outing with a goal and an assist in the contest. Additionally, junior captain Danny Nelson recorded assists in both bouts back in January.
The Irish return home after a mid-week series with the Michigan State Spartans. In the contest, Notre Dame battled back and forth with MSU until a power play late in the second frame put the Spartans ahead to ultimately take the victory. Freshman forward Dashel Oliver recorded his first collegiate goal in the game one matchup after a pass from Carter Slaggert set up the early equalizer in the game.
As Notre Dame laces up for their final homestand of the 2025-26 season, the Irish set their sights on closing out their time in Compton with the strong play that they have carried with them over the past month. As they wrap up this season finale with Penn State, Notre Dame enters senior weekend primed to add another exhilarating chapter to their 43 year old strife with the Nittany Lions.
SERIES OVERVIEW
Opponent: Penn State (Feb. 27-28)
Location: South Bend, Ind.
Schedule: Fri. 7:00 PM | Sat. 6:00 PM
TV/Streaming: Peacock
Live Stats: FightingIrish.com
Radio: fightingirish.com/radioaffiliates/
Game Notes: Notre Dame