Notre Dame Advances to Big Ten Semifinals with Statement Win Over Minnesota

The University of Notre Dame hockey team delivered a commanding 4-1 victory over No. 3/3 Minnesota in the decisive game three of their best-of-three series, securing a spot in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals. The Irish showcased a balanced offensive attack and a resolute defensive effort, led by standout goaltending from Owen Say, who recorded an impressive 38 saves.

This victory marks a significant step forward for Notre Dame, propelling them to the Big Ten Semifinals for the first time since 2022. The Irish will now prepare to face No. 2/2 Michigan State in East Lansing, seeking to extend their postseason run.

A Gritty Start and a Key First Goal

The matchup began with high intensity, as Notre Dame had to weather an early storm from the Gophers. Minnesota dictated the opening minutes, generating an 8-1 shot advantage. However, Say held firm in the crease, keeping the game scoreless while the Irish defense blocked key attempts and minimized high-danger scoring chances.

Notre Dame eventually capitalized on their first major opportunity late in the opening period. At the 17:25 mark, a shot from Jack Larrigan ricocheted off Minnesota goaltender Nathan Airey, allowing Jayden Davis to pounce on the rebound and net his first goal of the season. The goal not only put Notre Dame ahead but also shifted momentum, allowing the Irish to play with confidence heading into the first intermission.

Building the Lead with Defensive Tenacity

The second period saw Notre Dame extend their lead early, thanks to a goal from Grant Silianoff, who found space glove-side after a slick feed from Blake Biondi. The graduate forward’s effort doubled the Irish advantage at 3:44 of the period, providing a cushion against a Minnesota squad desperate to generate offense.

Defensively, Notre Dame remained disciplined, killing off a penalty at the 9:08 mark without allowing a single shot on goal. Their ability to neutralize Minnesota’s power play was a crucial aspect of their success throughout the game. Even as the Gophers ramped up their attack in the final minutes of the period, the Irish defense, anchored by key shot blocks from Paul Fischer and Axel Kumlin, held firm to preserve the 2-0 advantage.

Minnesota’s Push and Notre Dame’s Response

Knowing their season was on the line, the Gophers came out aggressively in the third period. Their persistence paid off when they finally broke through at 8:07, capitalizing on a power play just seconds after Notre Dame was penalized for holding. The goal cut the Irish lead in half, making for a tense final stretch.

However, Notre Dame responded with a decisive counterpunch. Just four minutes later, Cole Knuble and Justin Janicke executed a textbook give-and-go rush up the ice, culminating in Knuble backhanding the puck past Airey to restore the two-goal lead.

With Minnesota pushing hard in the final minutes and pulling their goaltender for an extra attacker, the Irish sealed the victory in fitting fashion. Hunter Strand, playing in his 150th career game, found the empty net at 17:40, officially sending Notre Dame to the semifinals.

Key Performances and Team Effort

The Irish victory was built on a collective effort from all areas of the ice. Standout individual performances included:

• Owen Say’s goaltending: The junior netminder was exceptional, stopping 38 of 39 shots, including multiple high-pressure saves early in the game.
• Shot blocking dominance: Notre Dame’s defense combined for 23 blocked shots, including 10 in the final period to stifle Minnesota’s last-ditch efforts. Ryan Helliwell led the charge with a career-high six blocks.
• Faceoff success: The Irish centers controlled 57.1% of the faceoffs, with standout performances from Danny Nelson (17 faceoff wins) and Jayden Davis (a perfect 4-for-4).
• Balanced scoring: Four different skaters found the back of the net, demonstrating Notre Dame’s depth and ability to generate offense from multiple lines.

What’s Next: A Semifinal Clash with Michigan State

With this win, Notre Dame advances to the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals, where they will face Big Ten Regular Season Co-Champion Michigan State at Munn Ice Arena. The Spartans, ranked No. 2 in the nation, present a formidable challenge, but the Irish have momentum on their side.

For Minnesota, the loss marks an early exit from the Big Ten Tournament, forcing them to wait for the NCAA Tournament selection process to determine their postseason fate.

As the Irish prepare for their next battle, their recent performance suggests they have the defensive structure, goaltending, and opportunistic scoring needed to compete at the highest level. If they can replicate this formula against Michigan State, a Big Ten Championship appearance could be within reach.