By: Connor Toomey
Ann Arbor, Mich. – The University of Notre Dame Hockey team starts a new season on Wednesday, March 11, as they open the Big Ten Playoff Quarterfinals in Ann Arbor to square off against #1/1 Michigan. The single elimination game will take place at Yost Ice Arena at 7:00 pm. The postseason clash will be streamed on B1G+.
This week’s contest will mark the fifth time these teams have clashed this season. A new postseason format begins this season as each round of the tournament will feature single elimination games as opposed to the best-of-three opening round seen previously.
The post season meeting will mark the 176th all-time clash between the hockey clubs. Previously in January, the Irish traveled to Ann Arbor where they were bested in the two game series by the top-ranked Wolverines in both tilts.
A rivalry that dates back to the 1921-22 season, Notre Dame currently trails in the all-time series with 77 wins, 96 losses, & six ties. Owning 33 road victories, the Irish will look to extend their season this Wednesday when they take on the Wolverines.
Junior captain Danny Nelson was the leader in points over the course of the home-and-home series against Michigan this season. Nelson recorded two goals and three assists for five points across the four games with the Wolverines. Fellow juniors Brennan Ali and Evan Werner joined their junior captain as two other skaters that boasted multiple goals across the contests with two a piece.
In their most recent outing, the Irish went into Columbus, Ohio and walked away with two impressive overtime victories against the Buckeyes. Winning their third-straight game in overtime, Notre Dame made program history by securing three consecutive victories in extra time (against then #5/5 Penn State 4-3, OSU 5-4, OSU 4-3). In the Thursday night contest, Werner was the overtime hero. Werner’s goal in overtime was his fourth point on the night (2-2-4) which marked the third time this season that the Flower Mound, Texas native recorded such a stat line. Friday night’s bout came down to the final tenth of a second in regulation as a shot from junior defenseman Paul Fischer beat the OSU goaltender and crossed the goal line with 0.1 seconds left on the clock to even the score at three goals a piece between. Freshman Pano Fimis put the contest on ice in overtime as he buried the game winner from the face-off dot at the 3:16 mark in the three-on-three session.
As the Irish head to the Mitten State again for another visit to Yost Ice Arena, they will look to bring their resilient play into the Wolverines’ home territory. Another hard hitting & fast paced installment to a rich 105 year old rivalry is something that Notre Dame looks to add as they begin their playoff push on Wednesday night.
SERIES OVERVIEW
Opponent: #1/1 Michigan Wolverines | March 11
Location: Ann Arbor, Mich. | Yost Ice Arena
Schedule: 7 PM
TV: B1G+
Live Stats: FightingIrish.com
Radio: fightingirish.com/radioaffiliates/
Game Notes: Notre Dame