SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame hockey team fought hard in their first tilt of the season but ultimately fell to the Clarkson Golden Knights, 3-1, Saturday night.
The first period started out with both teams getting acclimated to a new season, however it was Clarkson who eventually found twine with their shot at 15:47 of the opening stanza.
Danny Nelson nearly had the equalizer while the Irish skated on the man-advantage late in the period but his second attempt was gloved down and the home team headed to the locker room down by a goal through 20 minutes of play.
The Irish came out fast in the second period, unable to capitalize on the remainder of the first period Clarkson penalty, but Landon Slaggert net his first of the season at 4:54 of the middle frame to even the tally, 1-1.
Neither team could break the stalemate through the remainder of the middle stanza and a big third period loomed.
The Golden Knights took advantage of a turnover early into the final period of regulation, a goal that would later prove to be the game-winning tally.
Notre Dame’s offensive corp continued to pressure the opposite end of the ice but were unable to break the Clarkson netminding and they were held to just the one goal by L. Slaggert.
With just under 90 seconds remaining in the game, and the Irish net empty, the Golden Knights sent the puck the length of the ice and into the Irish net for the 3-1 final.
Ryan Bischel finished the night with 22 saves in 58:35 played between the pipes.
GOALS
- Ryan Siedem collected the puck along the boards and fired a pass up ice to Landon Slaggert who beat two defenders for his first goal of the season. The lone assist on the play was Siedem’s first point in an Irish sweater.
The goal by @slaggs_9 was a beauty but that feed from @ryansiedem9? Chef’s kiss 🤌#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/nYH1xJANDg
— Notre Dame Hockey (@NDHockey) October 7, 2023
KEY STATS
- The Irish outshot the Golden Knights, 28-25 through 60 minutes of play, including holding a 12-11 edge in the final stanza.
- Landon Slaggert, who was named team captain earlier in the week, scored the lone goal for the Irish in their season opener. Graduate senior Ryan Siedem earned the assist on the play for his first point with the Irish.
- Rookie Danny Nelson led the Irish in shots on goal, firing six pucks on net in his Irish debut.
- The Irish blocked 11 shots in the contest, led by Zach Plucinski who registered three in the contest.
- The nation’s leader in saves last season, Ryan Bischel posted 22 saves and a .917 save percentage in the season opener.
UP NEXT
The two teams clash again Sunday evening in the series finale with the Irish looking for the split. Puck drop is scheduled for 5 p.m.