EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Irish hockey program faltered at Michigan State Friday evening, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Spartans in game one of the weekend series.
With the edge in shots seven minutes into the contest, the Irish found themselves on the man-advantage for five minutes after a Spartan was called for a hit from behind.
The Spartans successfully killed off the major penalty, with the Irish firing five shots on net during the man-advantage but were unable to break former ND netminder Dylan St. Cyr at the opposite end.
MSU thought they lit the lamp first off a turnover in the Irish zone but a review of the play caught a white sweater offsides and the game remained scoreless with 2:33 to go in the first.
The two teams skated to their locker rooms after one period of play looking for the opening tally.
A myriad of penalties rang out early in the second period as four whistles sounded within the first five minutes of the frame. The Spartans lit the lamp on the powerplay, just moments after the Irish killed off the first part of a five-on-three disadvantage.
A mishap at the Irish net gave MSU the 2-0 lead with 8:37 to play in the second.
The Irish had two breakaway chances in the latter half of the period but were unable to capitalize and were down by a pair after two periods of play.
Notre Dame continued to outshoot the opposition partway through the third period but could not break the netminding as they trailed 2-0 at the final media timeout. Thirty seconds later the Irish nearly had a breakaway chance but Chayse Primeau got held up at the blue line and the Spartans were sent to the box for two minutes.
On their fourth powerplay chance of the night, the Irish failed to capitalize and the Irish pulled their netminder with just over five minutes left in regulation.
MSU would score late on the empty net for the 3-0 final in game one of the weekend series.
KEY STATS
- Ryan Bischel made 24 saves between the pipes for a .923 save percentage, allowing two goals against in just over 55 minutes played.
- The Irish recorded 16 blocked shots in the contest.
- ND won the battle in the faceoff circle, 40-30, with Chayse Primeau recording 18 faceoff wins on the night
UP NEXT
Notre Dame closes out its season series with the Spartans Saturday afternoon for a 4 p.m. puck drop on the Big Ten Network.
Next weekend, the Irish return home for their regular series home finale against Ohio State. Friday night’s 7:30 p.m. start will serve as Fan Appreciation night. The team hits the ice for senior night with a 6 p.m. puck drop inside Compton Family Ice Arena. Fans are asked to stick around following the conclusion of the game as the team honors its 10 seniors and graduate students for their dedication to ND hockey throughout their career.