SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Following a convincing weekend sweep of Big Ten foe and storied rival Ohio State, two members of the Irish hockey team have earned player of the week honors by the conference. With a .984 save percentage over the two game series, stopping 60 of 61 shots faced, Ryan Bischel was named First Star while senior captain Landon Slaggert was tabbed Third Star honors.
A consistent force in net for the Irish this season, Bischel allowed just one goal against in Friday night’s series opener before blanking the Buckeyes for his nation-leading third shutout of the season to complete the weekend sweep. His .984 save percentage ranked second nationally on the weekend (minimum 15 saves) and he improved his season save percentage to .941 which is also second in the country and first in the Big Ten. With a .927 career save percentage, the graduate netminder from Medina, Minnesota, leads all NCAA Division I goaltenders and boasts the fifth-most saves.
The team’s leading scorer this season with 11 points through as many games played, Slaggert added to his resume this past weekend with a goal and three assists as the Irish swept the visiting Buckeyes. Slaggert scored his team-best eighth goal of the season in Friday’s 4-1 victory before tallying an assist on each of the team’s goals Saturday en route to a 3-0 win. The three assists was a career high for the South Bend native and tied his career best point total, previously set against the Buckeyes in January 2022. His eight goals this season ranks fourth in the nation.
The Irish are back on the road this weekend as they take on No. 6/6 Minnesota in Minneapolis, November 17-18. Both games are set to get underway at 8 p.m. ET at 3M Arena at Mariucci.