Notre Dame had five goal scorers and it pulled away in the third period to split its series with Penn State, winning 5-3 on Saturday Night at the Compton Family Ice Arena.
In the middle of the first period, Notre Dame (8-8-2) drew first blood when Ryder Rolston scored. Mick Leivermann and Chase Blackmun assisted the goal. Penn State outshot Notre Dame 13-5 but lost the face-off battle 10-3. Although Notre Dame had the lead, Penn State controlled the game’s pace much like it did Friday night.
There were two penalties in the first period. First, Drew Bavaro was called for slashing for Notre Dame, and Penn State’s Jimmy Dowd got called for elbowing.
Penn State (15-5) had a power play opportunity when Solag Bakich was called for rouging but failed to capitalize. Penn State controlled the pace of play in the first half of the second period and equalized when Kevin Wall scored on a rebound off a Ryan Bichsel shot. Penn State had a power play opportunity when Ryan Helliwell was called for interference. Notre Dame regained the lead on a breakaway goal by Justin Janicke, assisted by Tyler Carpenter. Notre Dame led 2-1 going into the final period.
In the third period, Notre Dame scored toward the end of a power play on a Jackson Pearson wrist shot. Drew Bavaro and Tyler Janicke had assists.
Penn State’s Jimmy Dowd Jr. got called for interference. Notre Dame iced the game when Jack Adams scored a goal assisted by Janicke. Notre Dame’s Landon Shaggert scored an empty net goal assisted by Chayse Primeau and Leivermann.
Penn State had two late goals when Connor McMenamin scored a goal assisted by Connor MacEachern, and Christian Sarlo scored on assisted by Ryan Kirwan and Ben Schoen.
Penn State lost the game despite outshooting Notre Dame 50-22. Penn State going just 1-7 in power play opportunities played a big part in the loss.
Penn State will play its next game Dec. 30 on the road against RIT.
Twitter: @bwalkerdadon
