Post-game Press Conference: Coach Jackson | Cale Morris
NOTRE DAME, Ind. — Alex Steeves netted a pair of goals and Cale Morris stopped 36 shots as the University of Notre Dame hockey team extended its winning streak to five games with a 5-1 victory over RPI Friday night at the Compton Family Ice Arena.
With the win, the Irish improve to 9-4-1 (4-2-0 B1G), while the Engineers fall to 4-8-0 (3-3-0 ECAC).
The two goal-scorers from Tuesday night’s win over Northern Michigan, Steeves and Cal Burke, gave the Irish a 2-0 lead entering the first intermission. Steeves opened the scoring for Notre Dame 5:53 into play before Burke doubled the advantage in the final minute of the frame.
Notre Dame took control of the contest with three goals in the second. Steeves put home his second of the night just 1:29 into the period and Cam Morrison gave the Irish a four-goal lead just 32 seconds later. After a series of big saves by Morris throughout the period, Dylan Malmquist netted the fifth goal for the Irish in the final minute of the frame – with the assist going to Morris.
Kyle Hallbauer got the Engineers on the board 1:40 into the third period to account for the 5-1 final.
Morris earned his seventh victory of the season while stopping 36 of 37 shots. Linden Marshall made 16 saves on 20 shots before Owen Savory finished with 17 saves in relief for RPI.
The Irish finished 0-for-2 on the power play and killed off the only penalty they took in the contest.
Up Next
The Irish return to action against RPI tomorrow (Dec. 1) at 7 p.m. at Compton Family Ice Arena. Tickets for that contest are available here.
Notre Dame Goal Descriptions
1-0 | Notre Dame took a 1-0 lead at 5:53 of the first period when Alex Steeves scored his fourth goal of the season as his wrist shot from the slot beat Linden Marshall low to the blocker side. Nate Clurman dropped a pass off for Steeves along the boards to earn his first career point in an Irish uniform with the primary assist, while Bobby Nardella also has an assist on the play.
2-0 | Cal Burke scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season with just 43 seconds left in the first for a 2-0 lead. He picked the top corner, glove side after a nice drop pass from Nardella gave him enough space to get the shot off. Jack Jenkins also had an assist on the goal.
3-0 | Steeves scored his second of the night at 1:29 of the second when his shot from the half-boards beat Marshall low through traffic in front. Graham Slaggert and Andrew Peeke notched the assists.
4-0 | Just 32 seconds later, Cam Morrison scored his third goal of the season by chipping in a rebound in front to chase Marshall from the RPI net. Colin Theisen earned the primary assist by getting the puck to the front of the net after carrying it in from the neutral zone, while Mike O’Leary also assisted on the play.
5-0 | Cale Morris negated a possible icing when he got to the puck before it went below the goal line and took RPI by surprise by firing it to Dylan Malmquist in the neutral zone. WIth Cal Burke breaking to the far post, Malmquist was able to carry the puck down low and get a wrist shot off for his fourth goal of the season at 19:12 of the second period.
Notes
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The Fighting Irish improved to 7-4-0 all-time against RPI and to 3-2-0 at home against the Engineers.
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With two goals, freshman Alex Steeves now has seven points (5-2-7) in the last five games (the first seven points of his Irish career). Steeves now has a two-game goal streak as well.
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With the primary assist on Alex Steeves’ first period goal, freshman defenseman Nate Clurman notched his first career point.
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With an assist, Andrew Peeke moved his point streak to four games point streak (0-4-4).
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With a goal, Cal Burke moved his point/goal streak to three games (3-0-3). He now leads the team in goals (9) and points ().
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With an assist, Colin Theisen moved his point streak to three games (1-2-3).
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Cale Morris earned the assist on Dylan Malmquist’s second period goal for his second career assist (his other assist was last season at RPI).
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The Fighting Irish are in the midst of a stretch of three home games in five nights and five games in 12 days to close out the semester.
— ND —