NOTRE DAME, Ind. — One goal proved the difference in three of five meetings with Ohio State in Notre Dame’s inaugural Big Ten season in 2017-18, and Friday’s 2018-19 conference opener was no different as the No. 7/9 Buckeyes edged the No. 5 Irish 1-0 at the Compton Family Ice Arena (4,595).
Despite owning a 20-15 advantage in shots over the final two periods (they finished tied at 23 shots apiece), the Irish (3-3-1, 0-1-0-0 B1G) couldn’t capitalize as a first-period Buckeye goal proved to be the difference. Senior defenseman Bobby Nardella led the Irish in shots on goal with five while Graham Slaggert contributed three from the third line.
The Buckeyes’ lone score came just 27 seconds into their first power play on a Mason Jobst goal at 8:59 into the first period. Ohio State (4-2-1, 1-0-0-0 B1G) outshot the Irish 8-3 in the period and took that one-goal lead into the first intermission.
The Irish brought increased energy in the second, outshooting Ohio State 12-10 in the frame, though neither team found the back of the net. On its lone power play opportunity early in the stanza, the Irish fired three shots, but none made it to Buckeye goaltender Sean Romeo.
Notre Dame continued to hold onto the momentum as the third period wore on. In the first 15 minutes of the period, the Irish owned an 8-2 advantage in shots, including a stretch of 1:18 from 13:22 to 14:40 when they fired six and put three on frame.
The Irish called timeout with 2:04 remaining in regulation and skated 6-on-5 for the duration, managing just one shot before the final horn.
Irish goaltender Cale Morris recorded 22 saves and earned third star honors for the game. Romeo gathered 23 saves in the shutout for first star recognition.
The Buckeyes were 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Irish did not convert on one power-play opportunity.
Notre Dame and Ohio State will close out their weekend series at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, Nov. 3, in a game that will be televised on the NBC Sports Network. For tickets, click here.
NOTES
- The Fighting Irish are in the midst of a stretch of three consecutive weekend series against last season’s Frozen Four teams, including No. 1/1 Minnesota Duluth, No. 7/9 Ohio State and No. 12/13 Michigan.
— ND —