NOTRE DAME, Ind. — In front of 4,569 fans as the puck dropped for Notre Dame’s home opener, the top-ranked Irish were edged by No. 2/3 Minnesota Duluth, 3-2, on Friday night at the Compton Family Ice Arena.
After a goalless first period, both teams came out strong in the second. Minnesota Duluth opened the scoring at 3:54 of the middle frame before the Irish answered back to go up 2-1 heading into the third. Captain, Andrew Peeke tied it up, 1-1, before Colin Theisen scored his second of the season. Peeke’s goal, a power play goal, was his first of the season and third of his career with the man-advantage.
In the third, Duluth scored a shorthanded goal at 12:37 to tie it at 2-2 and then gained a 3-2 lead with 3:55 left in the game while on even strength when Dylan Samberg scored what proved to be the game winner.
Irish goaltender Cale Morris stopped 36 of 39 shots faced as the Bulldogs outshot the Irish 39-23. Hunter Shepard totaled 21 saves for the Bulldogs.
The Irish went 1-for-3 on the power play while holding Minnesota Duluth to a 0-for-1 mark with the man advantage.
Notre Dame and Minnesota Duluth close out their weekend series at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27 at the Compton Family Ice Arena. For tickets, click here.
NOTRE DAME GOAL DESCRIPTIONS
1-1 | Notre Dame tied the game while on the powerplay at 6:35 in the second period. Andrew Peeke scored his first goal of the season from just below the hash marks in the left slot After receiving a pass from the right corner of the net he immediately redirected the puck through Hunter Shepard’s five-hole before the Duluth goaltender had time to react. Peeke was assisted by Joe Wegwerth and Dylan Malmquist.
2-1 | The Fighting Irish gained a lead at 14:15 in the second period. Sophomore Colin Theisen raced down the ice on a two-on-one and faked a pass before he fired a strong wrist shot into the net. Jack Jenkins and Matt Steeves posted assists on the goal.
NOTES
- Senior forward Joe Wegwerth skated in his 100th career game.
- Junior captain Andrew Peeke scored his third career power-play goal (first since his freshman season).
- With tonight’s goal, Peeke currently has a two-game point streak (1-1-2).
- Assisting on Peeke’s opening goal, Joe Wegwerth and Dylan Malmquist each have two goals and an assist through the past two games (2-1-3).
- Goaltender Cale Morris finished the night with 36 saves on 39 shots, bringing his season save percentage to .912.
— ND —