NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The 12th-ranked University of Notre Dame hockey program is set to open conference play Friday and Saturday when they host Michigan State in a two-game series inside Compton Family Ice Arena. Puck drop on Friday night is set for 7:35 p.m., followed by a 6:05 p.m. start the following night.
Prior to faceoff Saturday, the Irish are hosting Hocktoberfest outside the building from 4-6 p.m. A food truck and beer garden will be available as well as numerous youth activities. Fans are encouraged to come out and celebrate Halloween in costume Saturday.
The University’s clear bag policy will be in place for the weekend series.
QUICK HITS
- The No. 12 Irish are coming off a weekend split with Western Michigan. Notre Dame picked up the victory at home Friday night with Ryan Bischel’s first shutout of the season (2-0, 30 saves), before being shutout on the road at Lawson Ice Arena.
- In his first game of the season, captain Nick Leivermann tallied the game-winning goal Friday with a laser of a shot from the blueline. His first of the year was followed up by Justin Janicke netting an even strength goal at 18:13 of the second period to give ND the 2-0 final.
- Chayse Primeau registered an assist on both goals Friday night for his second-consecutive multi-point night. The grad student now has five points in his last four games played (1-4-5).
NOTRE DAME vs. MICHIGAN STATE
- The Irish and Spartans have met 135 times in program history with MSU leading the all-time series, 70-50-15. At home, Notre Dame holds a narrow margin over the Spartans, boasting 30 wins and 10 ties in 66 games played in South Bend.
- Most recently, the Irish defeated the Spartans at Munn Ice Arena to finish the 2021-22 season with a 3-1-0 record against their foe.
- In game one of the series last year, the Irish bounced back from an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Spartans 3-2. Less than two minutes into play MSU led by two but a pair of second period goals from former defenseman Spencer Statsney knotted things up. Nick Leivermann scored the game-winner halfway through the third period. Current Irish icers Jesse Lansdell, Hunter Strand, Jack Adams and Chase Blackmun also had points in the contest.
- In four games played against the Spartans last season, Strand led the team with four points (1-3-4). His two points at Michigan State off a goal and an assist was a career-best for the sophomore.
- Justin Janicke recorded a goal and an assist to close out the season series with the Spartans last year for a career-high two point night.
TEAM LEADERS
- Ryder Rolston’s three goals and three assists leads the Irish in points (six).
- Rolston’s three goals is also a team-best.
- Drew Bavaro and Chayse Primeau’s four assists are tied for the team lead.
- Trevor Janicke’s powerplay goal in game one against the Wildcats turned into the game-winner and was his second on the man-advantage this season. Jesse Lansdell and Nick Leivermann also hold game-winners.
- Always willing to jump in front of a shot, Jake Boltmann’s 18 blocks leads the team and is third nationally.