Christian Sarlo’s goal 14:33 into the third period was the difference in No. 6 Penn State’s 3-2 win over Notre Dame Saturday night at Pegula Ice Arena.
Penn State battled Notre Dame all night but never led until Sarlo’s sixth goal of the season, which ended up being the game-winner.
Coach Guy Gadowsky’s team ends its season series with Notre Dame 2-2, with both series being split.
Penn State fell to Notre Dame 2-1 Friday night in the series opener.
Notre Dame Drew first blood with a Power Play goal by Trebor Janicke at 5:38. Jackson Pierson and Drew Bavaro had assists.
Penn State outshot Notre Dame 15-12 in the first period but couldn’t find the back of the net. Irish goaltender Ryan Bischel ended the night with 42 saves on 45 shots in the loss.
Penn State tied it up early in the second period on Simon Mack’s third goal of the season, assisted by Chase McLane and Connor McMenamin. But Notre Dame retook the lead on a goal by Chayse Primeau, assisted by Justin Janicke and Ryden Rolston.
Penn State tied it up 18:10 into the second period on Connor MacEachern’s ninth goal of the year. That was the last tally before Sarlo’s winner.
Penn State ends the year 1-3 against Notre Dame, splitting a series in South Bend last month.
Penn State plays again Friday at Michigan, the start of a two-game set with the No. 8 Wolverines. The teams split a two-game set in Happy Valley back in early November. In the first game of that series, Penn State upset then-No. 1 Michigan, the first time in school history that Penn State ever happen. Penn State repeated that feet less than two weeks later by upsetting No. 1 Minnesota in Minneapolis.
