Last Week: Home-and-Home Split with No. 15 Bowling Green
In Friday’s tilt, a lethargic start and disastrous special teams led to an 8-2 curb stomping for Ohio State. The Buckeyes rebounded to a degree on Saturday. They had more jump off the opening faceoff and managed a 2-2 tie at BGSU.
Carson Meyer (1-2--3), Freddy Gerard (1-2--3), and Mason Jobst (1-1--2) were the Bucks’ top performers in the series. Leading scorer Tanner Laczynski went down with an injury in Friday’s debacle. He did not dress for Saturday’s tilt. Neither did Ronnie Hein.
This Week: Big Ten Opener at No. 5 Notre Dame
| Game Info | Friday | Saturday |
|---|---|---|
| Opening Faceoff | 7:30 p.m. ET | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| Television | None | NBCSN |
| Local Radio | 1460 AM | 1460 AM |
| Online Video | NBCSports.com | TSN.ca |
Notre Dame was last year’s NCAA runner-up as well as the Big Ten’s regular season and tournament champion. In spite of heavy losses up front, the team is expected to be a top contender once again in 2018-19.
The Irish’s top three scorers departed the program following last season. Jake Evans and Jordan Gross graduated. Junior Andrew Oglevie signed a pro deal with the Buffalo Sabres.
| Team Stats | Ohio State | Notre Dame |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Records | 3-2-1 | 3-2-1 |
| National Polls | No. 7 / No. 9 | No. 5 / No. 5 |
| Avg. Goals For / Against | 2.67 / 3.17 | 4.00 / 2.50 |
| Power Play / Penalty Kill | 13.3% / 74.2% | 21.9% / 84.0% |
| Leading Goal Scorer | Carson Meyer (4) | Cal Burke (5) |
| Points Leader | Carson Meyer (7) | Bobby Nardella (11) |
| Top Goaltender | Tommy Nappier (1.50/.950) | Cale Morris (2.78/.905) |
But Notre Dame does not seem to be suffering any ill effects from their loss. Four of the team’s players currently rank among the top-20 in the NCAA in scoring. Bobby Nardella (T-No. 3) and Cal Burke (T-No.8) lead the way.
Reigning B1G Player of the Year, Cale Morris backstops the Irish. The junior goalie’s numbers aren’t what they were last season but he remains one of the Big Ten’s tougher customers in net.
The Irish come into the Big Ten opener fresh off their first two losses of the season. They dropped both halves of last week’s NCAA championship rematch with then-No. 3 Minnesota-Duluth. The Bulldogs held the Irish offense, averaging upwards of five goals per game going in, to three total goals for the series.
Notre Dame squandered some opportunities in the series. The Irish held a 2-1 lead going into the third period on Friday by couldn’t make it stick. On Saturday the team went 0-for-7 on the power play in a 3-1 loss.
The Irish are coming off their worst series of the season to date, but the Buckeyes aren’t so hot right now either. The way things have been going for the Bucks, six competitive periods this week - regardless of the final score - has to be considered progress. Especially if Laczynski and Hein remain on the shelf.
- Hear head coach Steve Rohlik's take on this week's series here.
Around the Big Ten
| Big Ten Overall Records | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 12/13 Michigan | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| RV Michigan State | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| No. 10/8 Minnesota | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| No. 5 Notre Dame | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| No. 7/9 Ohio State | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| No. 6 Penn State | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| No. 16 Wisconsin | 4 | 2 | 0 |
Last week Michigan and Michigan State recorded sweeps of St. Lawrence and No. 18 Cornell, respectively. Wisconsin split with Michigan Tech. Penn State downed No. 19 Princeton. Minnesota fell to No. 14/15 North Dakota in Las Vegas.
The B1G kept its six ranked teams in the top-16 in this week’s polls. The Irish come in at No. 5, followed by No. 6 Penn State, No. 7/9 Ohio State, No. 10/8 Minnesota, No. 12-13 Michigan, and No. 16 Wisconsin. Michigan State joins the party too. The Spartans are now receiving votes in both polls.
While OSU and Notre Dame open conference play this week the rest of the Big Ten continues in non-conference action. In a couple of CCHA revivals, Michigan visits Lake Superior State and Michigan State plays a home-and-home with Ferris State.
Penn State hosts Arizona State and NCAA-leading scorer Johnny Walker. Minnesota is home-and-home with No. 4 Minnesota State. Wisconsin travels for a battle with No. 14/15 North Dakota.
