LATE IRISH RALLY COMES UP SHORT IN 4-3 LOSS AT NO. 4 MICHIGAN STATE 

by | Nov 17, 2024 | Headlines, Hockey | 0 comments

LATE IRISH RALLY COMES UP SHORT IN 4-3 LOSS AT NO. 4 MICHIGAN STATE 

 

By JOHN FINERAN

 

A three-point night by graduate right wing Blake Biondi and 26 saves from freshman goaltender Nicholas Kempf weren’t enough to keep the Notre Dame hockey team’s losing streak from extending to five games Saturday night in East Lansing, Mich.

 

No. 4 Michigan State completed a weekend sweep of the Big Ten Conference series at the Ron Mason Rink in the Clarence L. “Biggie” Munn Ice Arena with a 4-2 victory, running its winning streak to six games to move the Spartans (9-1-0 overall, 4-0-0 Big Ten for 12 points) ahead of No. 3 Minnesota into first place by one point.

 

Coach Jeff Jackson’s Fighting Irish (5-7-0, 1-5-0 Big Ten for 3 points) played for the second straight night without injured sophomore centers Cole Knuble and Jayden Davis and sophomore defenseman Henry Nelson. Biondi opened the scoring for the Irish late in the first period and added assists on goals by graduate right wing Ian Murphy in the second period and junior defenseman Axel Kumlin in the third period. Sophomore defenseman Paul Fischer had a pair of assists.

 

Jackson gave the starting nod to Kempf over junior netminders Owen Say and Jack Williams, who split the goaltending duties in Friday’s 8-3 Michigan State victory. Kempf, who last played in Notre Dame’s 5-2 non-conference loss to Long Island University on Oct. 26, finished with 26 saves, 12 of them in the first period as he dueled against former U.S. National Development Program teammate Trey Augustine, Michigan State’s sophomore goalie. Augustine made 28 saves, 13 in the final period to hold off the Irish.

 

Next up for Notre Dame is a two-game home series with the third-ranked Golden Gophers (10-2-0 overall, 4-0-0 Big Ten for 11 points) next Friday night at 7 and Saturday evening at 6 at the Lefty Smith Rink in the Compton Family Ice Arena. The Irish then will travel to Ireland to play Harvard (and either Merrimack or Boston University) in the Friendship Four tournament Nov. 29-30.

 

As they did in their Friday night victory, the Spartans led 2-1 after the first period Saturday and dominated the shots, doubling up the Irish 14-7 in the first 20 minutes.

 

Kempf made 11 saves in the first 11 minutes of the period before the Spartans grabbed a 1-0 lead on a goal by freshman right wing Shane Vansaghi at 11:45.

 

With the Irish on the power play in the final minute of the period, Biondi tipped a shot from Fischer past Augustine at 19:38.5 to tie the game up at 1-1. But the Irish momentum was quickly dashed with just six-tenths of a second left in the period when Matt Basgall beat Kempf for a 2-1 lead.

 

Michigan State maintained its dominance into the second period and scored on its second shot at Kempf when Gavin O’Connell jumped on an Irish turnover to beat the Irish goaltender from the faceoff circle at 1:14 for a 3-1 lead.

 

Notre Dame’s first shot on Augustine – by sophomore left wing Maddox Fleming – didn’t come until 7:32 was gone when the Irish were on a power play with Michigan State’s Tiernan Shoudy in the penalty box for roughing. The Spartans later gave the Irish a brief 5-on-3 power-play advantage when Red Savage went off for boarding at 8:56, but the Irish managed just two shots at Augustine during the two penalties.

 

Notre Dame finally cut into the lead at 12:52 when Murphy tipped home a shot from the faceoff circle by Fischer, who was set up by Biondi. The Irish then got off five shots in a 31-second span at Augustine, who turned away each one.

 

The Spartans would take a 4-2 lead to the locker room at the second-period intermission after defenseman Maxim Štrbák intercepted a pass at center ice and sent Danny Russell into the Irish defensive zone on a 3-on-2 break. Russell fired a shot from the mid-slot past Kempf at 18:02 of the second period.

 

But the Irish, who were outshot 19-6 in the third period of Friday’s loss, doubled up the Spartans in shots, 14-7, in the final 20 minutes. It was still 4-2 late in the period when Jackson pulled Kempf at 17:30.

 

One minute later, Biondi got the puck to Kumlin at the right point, and the junior defenseman blasted a slapshot which beat the screened Augustine to make it 4-3. Kempf went back into the net for the faceoff but once again was pulled at 18:53. But the Spartans kept the Irish bottled up in their own defensive zone the rest of the game.

 

MICHIGAN STATE 4, NOTRE DAME 3

At Ron Mason Rink in Clarence L. “Biggie” Munn Ice Arena, East Lansing, Mich.

 

Notre Dame              1          1          1—3

Michigan State          2          2          0—4

 

First Period—Scoring: 1. Michigan State, Steve Vansaghi 2 (Mikey DeAngelo, Maxim Štrbák) EV 11:45; 2. Notre Dame, Blake Biondi 3 (Paul Fischer, Justin Janicke) PP 19:38.5; 3. Michigan State, Matt Basgall 1 (Mikey DeAngelo, Shane Vansaghi) EV 19:59.4. Penalties: Notre Dame 2-4, Michigan State 1-2.

Second Period—Scoring: 4. Michigan State, Gavin O’Connell 2 (Isaac Howard, Nicklas Andrews) EV 1:14; 5. Notre Dame, Ian Murphy (Paul Fischer, Blake Biondi) EV 12:52; 6. Michigan State, Daniel Russell 7 (Maxim Štrbák, Nicklas Andrews) EV 18:02. Penalties: Notre Dame 0-0 (2-4), Michigan State 2-4 (3-6).

Third Period—Scoring: 7. Notre Dame, Axel Kumlin 2 (Blake Biondi) EA (6-5) 18:30. Penalties: Notre Dame 0-0 (2-4), Michigan State 1-2 (4-8).

Shots on goal: Notre Dame 31 (7-10-14), Michigan State 30 (14-9-7).

Goalie saves: Notre Dame, Nicholas Kempf 26 (12-7-7), Michigan State, Trey Augustine 28 (6-9-13).

Faceoffs won: Notre Dame 29 (11-6-12), Michigan State 32 (11-12-9).

Power-play opportunities: Notre Dame 1 of 4, Michigan State 0 of 2.

Blocked shots: Notre Dame 13 (10-1-2), Michigan State 10 (2-2-6).

Referees: Barry Pochmara and Bruce Vida Jr. Linesmen: Nick Huff and Pat Richardson. Attendance: 6,555 (6,114).

Records: Notre Dame 5-7-0 overall, 1-5-0 Big Ten for 3 points; Michigan State 9-1-0 overall, 4-0-0 Big Ten for 12 points.

 

BIG TEN STANDINGS: (Numbers in parenthesis before school are its rankings in this week’s USCHO.com media and USA Hockey/The Rink Live coaches polls): 

(4/T3) 1. MICHIGAN STATE 4-0-0, 12 points (9-1-0 overall)

(3/T3) T2. MINNESOTA 4-0-0, 11 points (10-2-0 overall)

(nr/nr) T2. WISCONSIN 3-5-0, 11 points (4-8-0 overall)

(5/6) T4. MICHIGAN 2-0-0, 5 points (7-2-1 overall)

(14/14) T4. OHIO STATE 2-2-0, 5 points (9-2-1 overall)

(rv/rv) 6. NOTRE DAME 1-5-0, 3 points (5-7-0 overall)

(18/18) 7. PENN STATE 0-4-0, 1 point (4-5-0 overall)

 

Thursday, Nov. 14: Minnesota 5, Bemidji State 3 (non-conference).

 

Friday, Nov. 15: Michigan State 8, Notre Dame 3; Wisconsin 5, Penn State 4 (OT); Ohio State 5, Lindenwood 2 (non-conference).

 

Saturday, Nov. 16: Michigan State 4, Notre Dame 3; Wisconsin 6, Penn State 3; Ohio State 3, Lindenwood 2 (non-conference); Bemidji State 3, Minnesota 1 (non-conference).

 

SATURDAY’S GAMES INVOLVING USCHO.com MEDIA POLL TEAMS

 

  1. Denver(NCHC) (12-0-0) beat No. 9 North Dakota, 3-2. Next: Nov. 22-23 vs. Arizona State.

 

  1. Boston College(Hockey East) (7-2-0) was idle. Next: Nov. 19 at Providence, Nov. 22 vs. Northeastern, Nov. 23 at Northeastern.

 

  1. Minnesota(Big Ten) (10-1-0) lost at Bemidji State, 3-1. Next: Nov. 22-23 at Notre Dame.

 

  1. Michigan State(Big Ten) (9-1-0) beat Notre Dame, 4-3. Next: Nov. 21 at U.S. Under-18 Team (exhibition).

 

  1. Michigan(Big Ten) (7-2-1) was idle. Next: Nov. 22-23 at Penn State.

 

  1. Cornell(ECAC) (3-1-2) tied No. 20 Harvard, 2-2 (OT) (Cornell won shootout, 2-0). Next: Nov. 22 vs. Quinnipiac, Nov. 23 vs. Princeton.

 

  1. Maine(Hockey East) (7-2-2) tied No. 11 Boston University, 2-2 (OT) (Boston University won shootout, 1-0). Next: Nov. 22 at New Hampshire.

 

  1. Colorado College(NCHC) (8-1-1) tied No. 13 Western Michigan, 1-1 (OT) (Colorado College won shootout, 1-0). Next: Nov. 22-23 vs. St. Cloud State.

 

  1. North Dakota(NCHC) (5-6-0) lost to No. 1 Denver, 3-2. Next: Nov. 22-23 vs. Robert Morris.

 

  1. Providence(Hockey East) (7-2-2) lost to Massachusetts, 5-1. Next: Nov. 19 vs. Boston College, Nov. 23 vs. Long Island.

 

  1. Boston University(Hockey East) (5-5-1) tied No. 7 Maine, 2-2 (OT) (Boston University won shootout, 1-0). Next: Nov. 22 vs. Merrimack.

 

  1. St. Cloud State(NCHC) (8-3-0) was idle. Next: Nov. 22-23 at Colorado College.

 

  1. Western Michigan(NCHC) (6-1-1) tied No. 8 Colorado College, 1-1 (OT) (Colorado College won shootout, 1-0). Next: Nov. 22-23 at Minnesota Duluth.

 

  1. Ohio State(Big Ten) (9-2-1) beat Lindenwood, 3-2. Next: Nov. 29-30 at Princeton.

 

  1. UMass Lowell(Hockey East) (8-2-0) beat Vermont, 3-0. Next: Nov. 22-23 vs. Connecticut.

 

  1. Minnesota State(CCHA) (8-4-2) tied Northern Michigan, 1-1 (OT) (Northern Michigan won shootout, 1-0). Next: Nov. 22-23 at Michigan Tech.

 

  1. Dartmouth (ECAC) (5-0-1) tied Colgate, 4-4 (OT) (Colgate won shootout, 1-0). Next: Nov. 29 at Boston College, Dec. 1 at Vermont.

 

  1. Penn State (Big Ten) (4-5-0) lost to Wisconsin, 6-3. Next: Nov. 22-23 vs. Michigan.

 

  1. Quinnipiac(ECAC) (5-5-0) beat Yale, 4-1. Next: Nov. 22 at Cornell, Nov. 23 at Colgate.

 

  1. Harvard(ECAC) (2-2-1) tied No. 6 Cornell, 2-2 (OT) (Cornell won shootout, 2-0). Next: Nov. 22 at Massachusetts.

 

Others receiving votes

 

Massachusetts (Hockey East) (5-5-2) beat Providence, 5-1. Next: Nov. 22 vs. Harvard, Nov. 23 vs. Vermont.

 

Notre Dame (Big Ten) (5-7-0) lost at Michigan State, 4-3. Next: Nov. 22-23 vs. Minnesota.

 

Michigan Tech (CCHA) (6-2-0) was idle. Next: Nov. 22-23 vs. Minnesota State.

 

Union (ECAC) (7-3-1) lost to Clarkson, 4-1. Next: Nov. 29-30 at Niagara.

 

Clarkson (ECAC) (8-3-1) beat Union, 4-1. Next: Nov. 22 vs. Brown, Nov. 23 vs. Yale.

 

Northeastern (HEA) (1-5-3) tied New Hampshire, 1-1 (OT) (Northeastern won shootout, 1-0). Next: Nov. 22 at Boston College, Nov. 23 vs. Boston College.

 

Omaha (NCHC) (3-7-0) lost at Arizona State, 3-2. Next: Nov. 22-23 vs. Miami.

 

Robert Morris (Atlantic Hockey) (4-3-2) lost at Sacred Heart, 6-3. Next: Nov. 22-23 at North Dakota.

 

Augustana (CCHA) (5-5-0) beat U.S. Under-18 Team, 3-2 (exhibition). Next: Nov. 22-23 at Ferris State.

 

Bowling Green (CCHA) (5-4-1) lost at St. Thomas, 6-3. Next: Nov. 29-30 vs. Michigan Tech.

 

New Hampshire (HEA) (4-3-2) tied Northeastern, 1-1 (OT) (Northeastern won shootout, 1-0). Next: Nov. 22 vs. Maine.

 

Niagara (Atlantic Hockey) (6-4-3) beat Holy Cross, 3-2. Next: Nov. 23-24 at American International.

 

Arizona State (NCHC) (4-7-1) beat Omaha, 3-2. Next: Nov. 22-23 at Denver.

 

OTHER GAMES

 

Late Friday

 

Air Force 1, Mercyhurst 0 (Atlantic Hockey)

 

Alaska 3, Alaska Anchorage 2 (OT) (non-conference)

 

Saturday

 

Long Island U. 4, Stonehill 2 (non-conference)

 

Bentley 3, American International 0 (Atlantic Hockey)

 

Ferris State 3, Lake Superior State 2 (CCHA)

 

Rensselaer 3, St. Lawrence 2 (ECAC)

 

Princeton 1, Brown 1 (OT) (Brown won shootout, 2-0). (ECAC)

 

Minnesota Duluth 7, Miami 2 (NCHC)

 

Army 4, RIT 2 (Atlantic Hockey)

 

Alaska Anchorage 6, Alaska 1 (non-conference)

 

Air Force 4, Mercyhurst 1 (Atlantic Hockey)

 

 

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