MADISON, Wis. – The University of Notre Dame returned to Big Ten Conference play Friday night with a 2-0 loss to Wisconsin in Madison. Their first road trip of 2023 saw the Irish boast 27 shots on goal but were unable to light the lamp as they move to 9-10-2 on the season.
Notre Dame came out firing in the opening minutes of the first, sending four shots on net early but the ice seemed to tilt into the Badger end as the period progressed. Ryan Bischel turned aside all 16 shots faced while the Irish posted just three more shots on net through the remainder of the first.
After 20 minutes of play both teams headed to their respective locker rooms looking for the opening goal.
The two teams continued to battle through the second period, with the Irish getting their best look of the night when Grant Silianoff beat his man to the puck in the neutral zone for a shorthanded breakaway. Despite hitting the blocker of Wisconsin’s netminder on the play, the Irish held the pressure, registering five more shots on net but were unable to capitalize.
The penalty kill unit went to work for the Irish once more midway through the period and the Badgers took advantage, firing a shot from the top of the slot past Bischel’s glove side.
Wisconsin would find one more in the second period, beating Bischel through the five-hole, as the Irish faced a two-goal deficit heading into the third frame.
Despite 12 shots on goal in the final stanza, the Irish were unable to break the Badgers’ goaltending and dropped the 2-0 decision.
KEY STATS
- The Irish fired 27 shots on net in the contest, including two near goals while shorthanded. Looking to add to his team-leading 14 points, Ryder Rolston fired a team-best five shots on goal in the loss.
- On the defensive side of the puck, Notre Dame blocked 18 shots, led by Nick Leivermann with four.
- Ryan Bischel made 25 saves between the pipes in Friday’s contest, 16 of which came in the opening frame as he held the Badgers scoreless through the first 20 minutes.
UP NEXT
The Irish conclude the weekend series Saturday night in game two with the Badgers. Puck drop for the Jan. 7 game is set for 6:30 p.m. ET/5:30 p.m. CT on Big Ten Network.