NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame hockey team fell to Michigan State, 4-2, Saturday night in game two of the Big Ten Conference quarterfinals.
The Irish struck first off a goal from Solag Bakich but the Spartans’ four unanswered goals were too much for the Irish icers as they face a decisive third game Sunday evening looking to advance to the tournament semifinals next weekend.
Tickets for Sunday’s game can be purchased here.
Much like the first night, the Irish won the opening draw but the Spartans managed the first shot on net, ripping a shot through the slot which Ryan Bischel quickly gloved to halt play just 33 seconds in.
Jesse Lansdell fired the first Irish shot on goal with a saucer from the point but MSU’s netminder made the pad save and play went on with both teams fighting for the opening goal early in the first.
Ben Brinkman found senior forwards Solag Bakich and Trevor Janicke alone in the neutral zone for the two-on-goalie matchup. Bakich carried the puck into the offensive zone before passing the puck to T. Janicke on his right. The alternate captain drew St. Cyr out of the crease before a quick tap back to Bakich for a shot at the wide open net.
The Irish came back firing in the second period, sending 10 unanswered shots on net but were unable to extend their one-goal lead nearly halfway through the middle frame.
MSU evened the score with a powerplay goal at 8:38 of the second stanza, capitalizing off their first shot of the period when the puck crept under the right toe of Bischel.
The Spartans got one more in the second as the Irish faced their first deficit of the weekend heading into the third period Saturday night.
MSU struck early in the third to extend their lead with a shot from the point sailing top shelf.
An improbable shot minutes later beat Bischel top shelf again as the Irish faced a three-goal deficit with 14:26 to play in regulation.
Notre Dame opted for the extra attacker with just under five minutes to play in the third period and were able to cut the Spartan lead to two but could not break St. Cyr more as they ultimately dropped game two, 4-2.
GOALS
- Solag Bakich opened the scoring at 17:13 of the first period, racing up ice with linemate Trevor Janicke as the duo beat all defenders in their path as they closed in on the MSU net. Bakich sent a pass to T. Janicke on his right who quickly passed the puck back to Bakich for the open net shot. Ben Brinkman, who set up the initial odd-man rush, earned the second assist on the goal.
- In favor of the extra attacker late in the third period, Drew Bavaro picked up a pass from Hunter Strand while a Spartan looked on from the penalty box. The junior blueliner one-timed a shot on net where Jack Adams stood to get the deflection.
KEY STATS
- Through 10 minutes of game play Saturday night, Bischel had tallied 14 saves. The Irish held the opposition to just two shots the remainder of the first as Bischel registered 16 saves in the first 20 minutes.
- With the primary assist on Bakich’s goal in the first period, Trevor Janicke extended his point-streak to four games, boasting an assist in each of his last four appearances.
UP NEXT
The Irish and Spartans meet once more with their seasons on the line in a winner-take-all game three matchup. The puck is set to drop on the third and final game Sunday night at 6 p.m. and will air on FS2.