Notre Dame Hockey held its home-opening series this weekend versus the University of Alaska-Fairbanks (UAF) Nanooks. UAF entered South Bend seeking their first win after dropping their first four contests of the season in sweeps to Penn State and Michigan Tech. We recap the weekend split below:
Photo via Notre Dame Athletics
Friday Result: 4-1 Win
The Irish dominated their home opener behind two-point performances from forwards Justin Janicke (2-4-6), Hunter Strand (1-2-3), Cole Knuble (4-2-6), and defenseman Henry Nelson (1-1-2).
Irish goaltender Owen Say improved his record to 2-0-0 after another impressive showing that featured 25 saves, including 12 in the third period. Say’s only mistake occurred about five minutes into the third when the Nanooks’ pressure in front of the net created an opportunity for Alaska to light the lamp.
Both teams played clean with only five total penalties assessed, two to Notre Dame. The Irish were able to capitalize on a power play opportunity when Janicke took advantage for his third-period goal. The penalty kill performed just as well, allowing no goals on seven shots in four minutes of Irish penalty time.
Notre Dame outshot UAF 38 to 26, including a favorable second period when the Nanooks were only able to manage five shots on goal compared to 15 from the Irish. In addition to the shot total, the Irish also commanded the faceoff circle, winning 66.7% of draws. Strand led the way at the dot, winning 11 of 12 opportunities.
The Irish opened the scoring in the first period about 13 minutes into the contest when an Alaska turnover led to Knuble’s fourth goal of the season. Forward Ian Murphy (0-2-2) forced the key turnover and, along with Janicke, was credited with an assist for the early goal.
About five minutes into the second period, the Irish extended their lead to 2-0 thanks to a delayed UAF penalty that gave a man advantage to Notre Dame. Henry Nelson, brother of Danny, netted his first career goal off a one-timer slapshot that was created by defenseman Michael Mastrodomenico (1-2-3) and Strand, his first of two assists Friday night.
Just under two minutes after UAF made it a one-score game, Janicke connected on a powerplay opportunity for his second goal of the season. The senior weaved through three UAF defenders to connect on the highlight-reel play that was assisted by Knuble, his second assist of the year, and defenseman Paul Fischer (0-3-3).
Notre Dame put the icing on the cake about halfway through the third period when forward Grant Silianoff (1-0-0) added his first goal of the year. The graduate’s goal came off a great, quick assist from Strand, his second of the night. Henry Nelson was also credited with an assist, which marked his second point of the game.
The emergence of Henry Nelson could be notable for Irish fans, as the defenseman recorded just one point last season.
For the first time since 1969, Notre Dame Hockey had won each of their first three games by at least three goals.
Saturday Result: 0-1 Loss
Unfortunately, the Irish suffered their first defeat of the year at the hands of UAF in a chippy Saturday night tilt. Both teams played great defensively, especially Nanook goaltender Nicholas Grabko who finished with a 37-save shutout to secure UAF’s first win of the season.
Despite outshooting the Nanooks 37 to 23 and winning 55.1% of faceoffs, the Irish were simply unable to find the back of the net. Notre Dame’s best chance came with about five minutes to play in the second period when forward Blake Biondi’s (1-0-1) shot was stopped right in front of the goal line by Grabko.
Just under eight minutes into the game, the Irish killed any momentum they had when defenseman Ryan Helliwell (0-1-1) received a five-minute major and game ejection after committing an illegal cross-check. Fortunately, like most of the night, the Irish penalty kill performed great for all five minutes.
The second period was intense. Six penalties alone were called in this period, two on the Irish including an offsetting roughing call against Biondi.
Irish goaltender Nick Kempf allowed the only goal of the game about 12 minutes into the second off a UAF rebound opportunity. The freshman goalie finished with 22 saves as his season record dropped to 1-1-0. Through two contests, Kempf has flashed his great potential but the more-experienced Owen Say may be taking the lead in this battle for the starting goalie position.
As the game concluded, two UAF players and two Irish players (Strand and Murphy) each received roughing majors before being sent to their respective locker rooms.
Notre Dame will need to clean up their discipline and power play to have any sort of success in the future. The opportunities to capitalize were present but the Irish were simply unable to finish these chances Saturday.
The 3-1-0 Irish will look to bounce back when they host Long Island University next weekend.
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