COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The 11th-ranked University of Notre Dame hockey team rallied back Saturday night at the Air Force Academy to come out with the 5-5 tie. After trailing 4-1 heading into the final period of regulation, the Irish skaters scored four goals in the final 20 minutes to tie the Falcons and round out their road trip to Colorado.
Air Force struck first Saturday night with a powerplay tally at 7:19 of the opening frame. With an Irish skater sitting for a trip, the penalty kill unit went to work but were unable to stop the rebound attempt as the Falcons took the 1-0 lead.
The Irish continued to pressure throughout the first period, firing 11 shots on goal in the first 20 minutes of play but the blue and gold were unable to light the lamp as they skated to the locker room down one after a period.
The Falcons extended their lead at 3:03 of the second period with another powerplay goal before an even-strength goal at 9:23.
Zach Plucinski got the Irish on the board with a sniper at the hash with 9:15 to play in the second stanza but the Falcons would score once more in the waning seconds of an Irish penalty to make it 4-1. The Irish headed to the locker room facing a three-goal deficit through 40 minutes of play.
At 6:17 of the third period, Solag Bakich scored off the rebound to cut the deficit to two goals, as the Irish trailed 4-2. The Falcons took a penalty shortly after and Trevor Janicke wasted no time capitalizing on the man-advantage to bring the Irish within one.
Air Force responded just 45 seconds later to take back the two-goal lead but the Irish were not done fighting as they continued to battle late.
With just over eight minutes to play in the third, Jake Boltmann once again brought the Irish within a goal of the Falcons when his shot ripped passed the Falcons netminder.
After scoring the opening goal Friday night, Ryder Rolston played hero Saturday with the game-tying tally at 18:48 of the third period, and the final goal of the night.
The Irish controlled puck possession in the overtime session but their three shots on goal were all stifled by the Air Force goaltender and the two teams skated to the 5-5 final.
In the shootout, Jackson Pierson scored in round one but the Falcons took the 2-1 advantage in which ND could not recover.
Key Stats
- Trevor Janicke had three points on the night with a goal and two assists. His power play goal pulled the Irish within one halfway through the third period.
- The Irish outshot the Falcons, 37-29, in the contest.
Up Next
The Irish open their home slate of competition when Northern Michigan University visits Compton Family Ice Arena Oct. 14 and Oct. 16.
Puck drop on the home season is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday before a 5 p.m. faceoff Sunday evening to conclude the weekend series.