Head coach Jeff Jackson said earlier this week that some mental toughness has developed well in this team over the past few months, especially after bouncing back last weekend from a loss in the longest game in college hockey history. That resolve will be put to an even greater test this weekend.
In game 1 of the Hockey East quarterfinals, UMass Lowell (19-10-6) posted a 5-0 rout, led by a 3-0 first period, with the initial tally coming just 1:02 into the contest. In the previous nine games, ND (17-18-5) had allowed three goals total in the first period. By the end of the second period it was 5-0, leading Jackson to replace freshman Cal Petersen in goal after an extraordinary past five weeks. Petersen was credited with 17 saves while replacement Chad Katunar had seven in the third.
ND is 4-1 when facing elimination games in its two-year Hockey East history. Game 2 in the the best of three series is Saturday night at 7. Five different players scored for the typically balanced River Hawks.
"It's no different than losing in five overtimes," Jackson said. "It's all the same. We have to be ready and much better prepared by tomorrow night. You have to give Lowell credit. They were energized. They had (last) week off to help them. They were ready to play right at the get-go."
In game 1 of the Hockey East quarterfinals, UMass Lowell (19-10-6) posted a 5-0 rout, led by a 3-0 first period, with the initial tally coming just 1:02 into the contest. In the previous nine games, ND (17-18-5) had allowed three goals total in the first period. By the end of the second period it was 5-0, leading Jackson to replace freshman Cal Petersen in goal after an extraordinary past five weeks. Petersen was credited with 17 saves while replacement Chad Katunar had seven in the third.
ND is 4-1 when facing elimination games in its two-year Hockey East history. Game 2 in the the best of three series is Saturday night at 7. Five different players scored for the typically balanced River Hawks.
"It's no different than losing in five overtimes," Jackson said. "It's all the same. We have to be ready and much better prepared by tomorrow night. You have to give Lowell credit. They were energized. They had (last) week off to help them. They were ready to play right at the get-go."
