Michigan and Notre Dame got together to play some “old School” hockey. Courtesy of the NHL and the #WinterClassic. hockey gets back to it’s roots inside the historic Notre Dame Stadium. The theme of the game was #LetsTakeThisOutside and take it outside they did. With the sun setting in the western sky, and a balmy 49 degrees at puck drop, and 23,422 in attendance saw what was an opportunity of a lifetime.
First Period
The Irish offense was firing the puck to open the period. Michigan was not firing much , but the fourth shot really made a lasting memory for Joseph Cecconi. On the defensive end, Cecconi fired the puck 122 feet into the Irish zone and the bounce of the puck actually gets into the back of the net. More clearly the shot was from before the Michigan left defensive blue line. 16 seconds later, Will Lockwood lights the lamp for the Wolverines second goal from the right side face-off circle.
The Irish had an opportunity to put points on the board as they were awarded a Power Play. The Power Play was quickly wiped away as Cam Morrison was sent to the penalty box. As the Michigan Power Play ended, Nolan Myle put the puck in the net on Cale Morris’ left hand side. At the end of the period Michigan had a 3-0 lead going into the locker room. Shots On Goal (S.O.G) Michigan 16 Notre Dame 11.
Second Period
The second period saw an early opportunity for the Irish to get on the board. A Michigan penalty for hooking, put the Irish on an early Power Play. The Power Play was killed off by the Michigan defense. Michigan gets another two minute penalty for tripping, this time Cam Morrison puts it between the pipes on Michigan’s Hayden Lavigne to bring the score 3-1 at 5:30. The goal ignited the Irish offense and they were back firing the puck at will. They were firing but Lavigne was making sure nothing was getting past them. The Irish defense stepped it from the first period as well. The Wolverines attempted 23 shots and none of them made it through the net. Michigan take a 3-1 lead into the locker room to end the second period. (S.O.G) Michigan 14 Notre Dame 11.
Third Period
The Fighting Irish knew for sure that they had to play with a sense of urgency coming out of the locker room for the third period. Michigan also knew they had a chance of winning a game. They had not won a game since November 16th. Protecting the lead is what they planned on doing. Notre Dame was firing the puck once gain and working on offense, then Peeke gets a penalty for tripping at 6:03. Though the Wolverines did not score on the Power Play, they were firing on shots a rapid pace.
At 14:37 the Irish got another chance at the Power Play, but came up empty on the man advantage. During the Power Play, ND empties the net and gets an extra attacker on the ice. At 17:12 with the extra attacker on the ice, Alex Steeves fires from the right hand side face-off circle, lights the lamp and brings the Irish with one goal with a score of 3-2.
After the goal, Morris is sent back into the goal. At 18:46 Coach Jackson pulls Morris and once again an extra attacker for the Irish is out. A book end play happens next for Michigan. From the opposite side of the blue line from the first goal of the game Dakota Raabbe puts the puck in the empty net to ice the game for the Wolverines. The Wolverines win 4-2.
Next Up
Next up for the Fighting Irish is the Minnesota Golden Gophers. The Puck drops at 7 PM EST on Friday and Saturday night. Come out and cheer on the Fighting Irish at Compton Family Ice Arena. Cheers and Go Irish!! ☘⚡
Michigan sucks.