Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena)
Score: #6 Notre Dame 6, #14 Michigan 2
Records: U-M (5-4-0, 1-1-0 BIG), Notre Dame (5-4-1, 2-2-0 BIG)
Next U-M Event: Friday, Nov. 16 — at Penn State (State College, Pa.), 7 p.m.
Ann Arbor, Mich. — The No. 14-ranked University of Michigan Wolverines hockey team fell to the No. 6- ranked University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, 6-1, in the second game of the weekend series on Saturday night (Nov. 10, 2018) at Red Berenson Rink at Yost Ice Arena.
The Wolverines opened the scoring early with junior forward Will Lockwood sending the puck over the glove of Notre Dame’s Dylan St. Cyr on the power play. Quinn Hughes and Joseph Cecconi tallied the assists on the goal at 2:47 of the opening frame.
Michigan thought they had a 2-0 lead when sophomore forward Josh Norris found the back of the net midway through the first period, however, after being reviewed by the officials it was determined a U-M player was offsides coming into the zone.
Notre Dame netted two goals late in the first period to take a 2-1 lead heading into the second period. Alex Steeves tapped the puck in at 16:14 before Cal Burke netted a breakaway goal during four-on-four play at 17:51.
The Fighting Irish would carry the momentum into the second period where they would put the game out of reach with a four-goal effort and extend their lead to 6-1.
At 4:50 of the third period freshman blue-liner Nick Blankenburg skated the puck through the slot and netted his first career goal of his collegiate career to cut the U-M deficit to 6-2. Norris and Jimmy Lambert picked up the assists on the goal.
Michigan would not go down without a fight, holding a 14-5 advantage in shots in the third period with the majority of play being in the U-M offensive zone.
“He’s (Blankenburg) played well” said Head Coach Mel Pearson. “You can tell he’s got some patience and poise.”
The Wolverines head to Penn State next weekend (Nov. 16-17) for their first road B1G series of the season to take on the Nittany Lions. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday night.
