Starting things off right
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish hockey team opened the season Friday night against the St. Lawrence Saints with a strong showing from both returning and new members. The Irish offense was sluggish to start but came away with four goals on the day. Meanwhile new netminder Owen Say allowed just one goal in his first start for the Irish.
Game Summary
First Period
Notre Dame got on the scoreboard first in the opening period just a few minutes into the game. A shot/pass from the point was blocked in front but deflected to the left side of the net to Blake Biondi. Biondi backhanded the puck into an empty net as he fell to a knee to put the Irish up 1-0. Less than two minutes later though the Irish were shorthanded when they were caught with too many men on the ice. St. Lawrence capitalized on the man advantage and tied the game 1-1. From there both offenses quieted down and the period ended tied.
Second Period
From the end of the first period through the midpoint of the second Notre Dame continued pressing but were just unable to make the final connection for a second goal. After the midway point of the period that changed when Cole Knuble intercepted an attempted clearance from St Lawrence and was able to score on a clear look from the slot. A few minutes later Notre Dame extended the lead on the power play when a shot from the point was deflected in front of the net by Danny Nelson. After the Irish goal the Saints went on the offensive, but they could not find another goal in the middle period.
Third Period
The third period started the same way the second ended, with St. Lawrence pressing to reduce the Irish lead. The Irish defense held strong though and with some timely saves from Owen Say they held the two goal advantage until late in the period. When another goal came it was not the Saints reducing the lead but it was the Irish extending it. Knuble carried the puck into the offensive zone before dishing the puck to Justin Jnicke on his left and then getting it right back for a deflection into the net. The Saints pulled their goalie late in the game but neither team found another goal or threatened much after that.
Scoring
ND: Blake Biondi (1) at 6:45 in the 1st assisted by Michael Mastrodomenico and Ryan Helliwell
SLU: Tyler Cristall (1) on the PP at 8:38 in the 1st assisted by Philippe Chapleau and Tomas Mazura
ND: Cole Knuble (1) at 11:55 in the 2nd unassisted
ND: Danny Nelson (1) on the PP at 17:12 in the 2nd assisted by Paul Fischer and Justin Janicke
ND: Cole Knuble (2) at 16:29 in the 3rd assisted by Justin Janicke
Penalties
ND: BENCH 2 for too many players at 8:04 in the 1st
SLU: Greg Lapointe 2 for slashing at 11:11 in the 1st
SLU: Will Arquiett 2 for roughing at 0:08 in the 2nd
SLU: Tomas Mazura 2 for holding at 16:05 in the 2nd
ND: Carter Slaggert 2 for holding at 8:44 in the 3rd
SLU: Spencer Bell 2 for tripping at 19:19 in the 3rd
ND: Axel Kumlin 2 for cross-checking at 19:19 in the 3rd
Goalies
ND: Owen Say saved 32 of 33 shots against for the win
SLU: Mason Kucenski made 34 saves on 38 shots in the loss
Up Next
Notre Dame finishes their opening weekend with another road game in New York, this time against the Clarkson Golden Knights on Saturday night.