SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame fought back to make it a one-goal game but could not find a way to tie it late in the third as Team USA posted a 4-3 win in exhibition action to open the 2021-22 season on Sunday evening at Compton Family Ice Arena.
Junior forward Solag Bakich keyed the comeback bid with a pair of goals in the third to make it a 4-3 game. Freshman forward Justin Janicke also scored for the Irish.
In net, junior Ryan Bischel got the start and graduate transfer Matthew Galajda played the second half of the contest, with Bischel making 22 stops and Galajda totaling 14.
The Irish were 0-for-2 on the power play, while Team USA was 1-for-4.
How It Happened
Team USA jumped out to a 1-0 lead on an Isaac Howard goal at 1:23 of the first period.
Notre Dame responded at 4:13 of the first when Justin Janicke took a drop pass from Spencer Stastney and ripped it high past Tyler Muszelik to make it a 1-1 game.
A quick passing play by Cutter Gauthier and Jimmy Snuggerud led to a 2-1 USA lead midway through the first.
The Irish had several good looks as the period progressed, including a Max Ellis attempt that drew a penalty and Nick Leiveramnn’s shot on the power play that rang off the post but the first frame ended 2-1.
Logan Cooley and Snuggerud (power play) added goals in the second to make it a 4-1 game after 40 minutes.
Then at 7:11 of the third, Solag Bakich got one back for the Irish as he and linemate Jack Adams crashed the net following a Zach Plucinski shot from the point. Cam Burke also had an assist on the play.
Galajda denied Devin Kaplan on a breakaway attempt and less than a minute later Bakich scored his second of the period at 12:42 to make it a one-goal game. Scoring from the doorstep again, the assists went to Adam Karashik and Jack Adams.
Notre Dame pulled Galajda with 1:33 left in the third in favor of the extra attacker but could not tie it.
Notes
- Notre Dame is now 5-2-2 all-time against the USNTDP.
- 44 Fighting Irish players have skated for the USNTDP before heading to Notre Dame, the second-highest total in college hockey.
- Notre Dame dressed 12 forwards, eight defensemen and two goaltenders in the exhibition tilt.
Next Up
- Notre Dame opens the season next Saturday night, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. against Long Island.
- The game will be available to watch on NBCSports.com, the NBC Sports app, NBC Sports Chicago, NBC Sports Philadelphia Plus and SNY.
— ND —