Spartans Fall in Series Opener to Notre Dame
2/26/2021 9:21:00 PM | Men's Ice Hockey
EAST LANSING – Notre Dame scored once in the second period, added another in the third and topped the Michigan State hockey team, 2-0, on Friday night at Munn Ice Arena in the first of a two-game series between the teams.
The Spartans appeared to tie the game prior to the midway point of the third period, but a challenge and reviewed determined the Spartans were offside, negating the goal. Two minutes later, Notre Dame's Alex Steeves scored to make it a 2-0 game.
"It was a typical Michigan State-Notre Dame hockey game," MSU head coach Danton Cole said. "I thought the guys did a decent job and you come up a little bit short and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The guys didn't cheat us, but there are some things we can do better and we're going to have to do better tomorrow night."
Freshman Pierce Charleson made his first career start in goal for the Spartans and turned away 31 shots.
"Drew (DeRidder) has played a lot of hockey for us this year," Cole said. "Four games in seven nights last week, plus travel. Pierce has come in three different games and we thought tonight would be a good time to get him a start and give Drew a little rest. He did very well, and Drew did a good job of helping him to get ready to play."
After a scoreless opening period, Notre Dame (11-12-2, 9-10-2-1-2-2) scored what proved to be the game winner 4:31 into the second period.
Matt Hellickson flipped the puck out of the zone down the right side of the ice where Landon Slaggert picked it up and took it toward the net. A sliding Nash Nienhuis deflected Slaggert's first attempt, but Slaggert gathered the rebound and was able to flick the puck into the net.
Both teams had 15 shots on goal in the second period. The Spartans' best chance of the middle period came when Kyle Haskins forced a turnover inside the Irish blue line and took the puck in on Dylan St. Cyr. The Irish goaltender was able to get his leg on Haskins' low shot to keep it out and a 1-0 game.
St. Cyr finished with 27 saves for the shutout.
The Spartans (7-14-2, 5-13-1-2-1-0) appeared to tie the game with 10:34 to go in the third period when Nico Muller buried a perfect feed off the rush from Mitchell Lewandowski. However, Notre Dame challenged goal for offside. Officials reviewed the play and determined the Spartans were offside, reversing the call on the ice and keeping it a 1-0 game.
Notre Dame seized the momentum following the reversal and Steeves' goal with 8:36 to go made it 2-0.
Both teams had a power play try in the second and third periods and both were 0-for-2 for the game.
Michigan State and Notre Dame will meet again at 3 p.m. on Saturday. MSU will honor is eight-member senior class following the game.
The Spartans appeared to tie the game prior to the midway point of the third period, but a challenge and reviewed determined the Spartans were offside, negating the goal. Two minutes later, Notre Dame's Alex Steeves scored to make it a 2-0 game.
"It was a typical Michigan State-Notre Dame hockey game," MSU head coach Danton Cole said. "I thought the guys did a decent job and you come up a little bit short and it leaves a bad taste in your mouth. The guys didn't cheat us, but there are some things we can do better and we're going to have to do better tomorrow night."
Freshman Pierce Charleson made his first career start in goal for the Spartans and turned away 31 shots.
"Drew (DeRidder) has played a lot of hockey for us this year," Cole said. "Four games in seven nights last week, plus travel. Pierce has come in three different games and we thought tonight would be a good time to get him a start and give Drew a little rest. He did very well, and Drew did a good job of helping him to get ready to play."
After a scoreless opening period, Notre Dame (11-12-2, 9-10-2-1-2-2) scored what proved to be the game winner 4:31 into the second period.
Matt Hellickson flipped the puck out of the zone down the right side of the ice where Landon Slaggert picked it up and took it toward the net. A sliding Nash Nienhuis deflected Slaggert's first attempt, but Slaggert gathered the rebound and was able to flick the puck into the net.
Both teams had 15 shots on goal in the second period. The Spartans' best chance of the middle period came when Kyle Haskins forced a turnover inside the Irish blue line and took the puck in on Dylan St. Cyr. The Irish goaltender was able to get his leg on Haskins' low shot to keep it out and a 1-0 game.
St. Cyr finished with 27 saves for the shutout.
The Spartans (7-14-2, 5-13-1-2-1-0) appeared to tie the game with 10:34 to go in the third period when Nico Muller buried a perfect feed off the rush from Mitchell Lewandowski. However, Notre Dame challenged goal for offside. Officials reviewed the play and determined the Spartans were offside, reversing the call on the ice and keeping it a 1-0 game.
Notre Dame seized the momentum following the reversal and Steeves' goal with 8:36 to go made it 2-0.
Both teams had a power play try in the second and third periods and both were 0-for-2 for the game.
Michigan State and Notre Dame will meet again at 3 p.m. on Saturday. MSU will honor is eight-member senior class following the game.
Team Stats
ND
MSU
Shots
33
27
PPG
0
0
SHG
0
0
Penalties
2
2
Penalty Mins
4
4
Faceoffs Won
22
24
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
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