SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame boasted their largest shot total of the season and overcame a two-goal third period deficit to defeat Mercyhurst, 4-3, in overtime.
The Irish maintained possession for much of the early moments Thursday night, holding the puck in the offensive end and firing numerous shots on net early on before Mercyhurst was whistled for a trip just 6:22 into play. The Irish capitalized on their first man-advantage of the night, scoring a powerplay goal off the stick of Landon Slaggert to take the 1-0 lead at 7:04 of the opening period.
Mercyhurst evened the score shortly after the media timeout to round out the first period scoring as both teams skated to their dressing rooms knotted at 1-1. Despite the tied scoreboard through the first period, the Irish posted a 2023-24 season high shots on goal in a single period, outshooting the Lakers 20-9 after 20 minutes of play.
The Lakers took advantage of the first Irish penalty kill Thursday night, taking the 2-1 lead just five seconds into their powerplay opportunity at 2:06 of the second stanza. Mercyhurst struck once more in the second as the Irish faced a two-goal deficit heading into the final period of regulation.
Facing a two-goal deficit when they took to the ice for the third, the Irish came out firing, scoring less than three minutes into the period to cut the Lakers’ lead to one. Trevor Janicke scored less than two minutes after Carpenter’s tally to pull the Irish even at 5:07 of the third and force the eventual overtime session.
The Irish won the opening draw in overtime but were unable to take advantage of their first possession and play continued. Following a save by Ryan Bischel on the opposite end of the ice, Justin Janicke gathered the puck and found Ryan Siedem on the far boards of the Irish end. Siedem caught L. Slaggert alone at the blue line who skated into the zone and tucked the puck under the pads of the Laker netminder for the overtime game-winner and his second goal of the night.
Including his overtime save, Bischel made 24 saves between the pipes Thursday night while the Irish doubled up the Lakers in shots on goal, firing 54 pucks on net to Mercyhurst’s 27.
GOALS
- The team’s leading scorer put the Irish out in front partway through the first period, standing atop the paint the senior forward picked up a back door pass from Maddox Fleming and buried it for the 1-0 lead at 7:04 of the contest. Danny Nelson also tallied an assist on the play, his first with the Irish.
- Tyler Carpenter sparked the third period offensive effort with a goal from the top of the circle, beating the Lakers’ goaltender glove side at 2:45 of the final stanza. He was assisted by linemates Fleming and Carter Slaggert, both freshmen. The secondary assist to C. Slaggert was his the rookie’s collegiate point.
- The Irish tied the game with a one-timer off the stick of Trevor Janicke who fired a shot top shelf for the 3-3 score. Paul Fischer found Drew Bavaro at the point who ripped the quick pass over to T. Janicke for the goal at 5:07 of the third period.
- L. Slaggert scored his second of the night at 3:03 of the overtime period, picking up a cross-ice pass from Ryan Siedem to get the win at home. Justin Janicke, who set up the initial play, was credited with the second assist.
OT GAME WINNER FOR @NDHockey 🚨👀#NCAAHockey x 🎥 Peacock / @B1GHockey
pic.twitter.com/YWPr0Yea6h— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) October 27, 2023
KEY STATS
- With two goals in the contest, including the game-winning tally, Landon Slaggert leads the team with five goals this season.
- The senior Slaggert and freshman Maddox Fleming led the team with two points each Thursday night. The two also lead the team in points this season, each boasting five.
- With eight shots on goal, Trevor Janicke led the team in the category while finding his first goal of the season to tie things up 3-3 and force overtime.
- The Irish boasted 54 shots on goal, the most in a single game since March 6, 2015 vs. Massachusetts (78 shots).
- Carter Slaggert recorded his first point in an Irish sweater Thursday night, picking up the second assist on Tyler Carpenter’s third period goal.
- Three other rookies scored points in the contest, including Fleming who boasted two assists and leads the team with five this season.
- Ryan Bischel finished the night with 24 saves between the pipes.
- The Irish were called for one penalty in the contest, their fewest of the season, while also going one-for-two on the powerplay.
UP NEXT
The Irish and Lakers close out the regular season series Friday night at 7:35 p.m. Following tomorrow night’s contest, Notre Dame will return to Compton Family Ice Arena on Friday, November 10 to open their home Big Ten slate with Ohio State.