Notre Dame hockey couldn't generate enough offense on Senior Night to complete a series sweep of No. 8 Minnesota.
The Gophers bounced back Saturday with a 3-2 overtime victory in South Bend.
Minnesota (19-8-5, 12-6-4 Big Ten) trailed for only 18 seconds despite the narrow win. The Gophers, who finished the game with zero penalties, were the more aggressive side with 39 shots on goal. Notre Dame (15-15-2, 9-11-2) managed just 26 shots.
Minnesota took a 1-0 lead early in the second period when Minnesota forward Connor Kurth's centering pass bounced of the skate of ND defenseman Zach Plucinski and into the net.
The Irish tied it up with 13:33 remaining in the second period with a wraparound goal by junior forward Justin Janicke.
Notre Dame took its short-lived lead with 6:38 left in the second period. A steal by senior forward Brady Bjork turned into a buried scoring opportunity for freshman forward Jayden Davis. The Davis shot beat Minnesota goalie Justen Close on his glove side and hit the inside of the far post.
The Gophers responded quickly with a goal from captain Jaxon Nelson 18 seconds later. He created an opportunity for himself with a pass into the boards, a bullying of ND defensemen Ryan Siedem and a shot over goalie Ryan Bischel's glove shoulder.
Minnesota won the game in the three-on-three overtime period with a goal by Jimmy Snuggerud. Close stopped a Drew Bavaro shot, then Ryan Chesley and Aaron Huglen quickly got the puck ahead to Snuggerud. He fired a shot as he crossed the face of ND's Danny Nelson and beat Bischel between the legs.
Close saved 24 shots in the victory. Bischel saved 36 in a losing effort.
Notre Dame will close its regular season with a two-game series at No. 14 Michigan (15-12-3, 8-10-2) on Friday and Saturday.
The Gophers bounced back Saturday with a 3-2 overtime victory in South Bend.
Minnesota (19-8-5, 12-6-4 Big Ten) trailed for only 18 seconds despite the narrow win. The Gophers, who finished the game with zero penalties, were the more aggressive side with 39 shots on goal. Notre Dame (15-15-2, 9-11-2) managed just 26 shots.
Minnesota took a 1-0 lead early in the second period when Minnesota forward Connor Kurth's centering pass bounced of the skate of ND defenseman Zach Plucinski and into the net.
The Irish tied it up with 13:33 remaining in the second period with a wraparound goal by junior forward Justin Janicke.
Notre Dame took its short-lived lead with 6:38 left in the second period. A steal by senior forward Brady Bjork turned into a buried scoring opportunity for freshman forward Jayden Davis. The Davis shot beat Minnesota goalie Justen Close on his glove side and hit the inside of the far post.
The Gophers responded quickly with a goal from captain Jaxon Nelson 18 seconds later. He created an opportunity for himself with a pass into the boards, a bullying of ND defensemen Ryan Siedem and a shot over goalie Ryan Bischel's glove shoulder.
Minnesota won the game in the three-on-three overtime period with a goal by Jimmy Snuggerud. Close stopped a Drew Bavaro shot, then Ryan Chesley and Aaron Huglen quickly got the puck ahead to Snuggerud. He fired a shot as he crossed the face of ND's Danny Nelson and beat Bischel between the legs.
Close saved 24 shots in the victory. Bischel saved 36 in a losing effort.
Notre Dame will close its regular season with a two-game series at No. 14 Michigan (15-12-3, 8-10-2) on Friday and Saturday.
