SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Freshman Matt DiMarsico (Wexford, Pa.) registered one goal and one assist as Penn State dropped a 6-3 decision to Notre Dame in Big Ten Conference action on Saturday evening inside Compton Family Ice Arena.
The Nittany Lions drop their sixth-consecutive Big Ten game falling to 10-11-3 overall and 2-9-3-0-0-2 in conference action with the loss while the Irish move to 13-11-2 on the year and 7-7-2-0-0-1 in league play following the victory and weekend sweep.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Nittany Lions opened the scoring late in the first period as freshman Aiden Fink (Calgary, Alberta) caused a turnover in the defensive zone to spring an odd-man rush and DiMarsico sauced a pass to fellow freshman Reese Laubach (San Jose, Calif.) who kicked the puck to his forehand and lifted it over the glove of Irish goaltender Ryan Bischel for the 1-0 edge at the 18:02 mark.
- Notre Dame evened the score early in the second period taking advantage of a 5-on-3 powerplay as Patrick Moynihan finished from above the crease for the 1-1 score just 43 ticks into the frame.
- The Irish took the lead midway through the second stanza as Landon Slaggert finished a feed from Moynihan in the low slot for the 2-1 edge at the 11:50 mark.
- Moynihan extended the lead for the hosts early in the third period as he finished between the rings during the powerplay for the 3-1 advantage at the 2:36 mark.
- Less than a minute later, Penn State responded as junior Simon Mack (Brockville, Ontario) finished a rebound into a yawning net after graduate transfer Jacques Bouquot's (South Windsor, Conn.) initial bid was turned aside for the 3-2 score at 3:27 of the third period.
- The Nittany Lions would even the score on a delayed penalty call as Notre Dame sent the puck into its own net at 7:21 of the third period with DiMarsico getting credit for the goal as the last Penn State player to touch the puck.
- The hosts regained the lead once again on the ensuing powerplay as Danny Nelson found the back of the net from the low slot for the 4-3 edge at the 8:42 mark.
- Trevor Janicke and Nelson each hit the empty net at 18:19 and 19:25, respectively, of the third period to account for the 6-3 final.
GOALTENDING
Souliere falls to 7-7-1 on the year following the 27-save defeat while Bischel moves to 13-11-2 with the victory after stopping 35 shots in the win.
NOTES
- Penn State held the 38-33 edge in shots on goal, however, they were unable to capitalize on a trio of powerplay chances, while the Irish went 3-for-6 with the man-advantage.
- The Nittany Lions fall to 8-5-0 when scoring the first goal of a game this season.
- Fink's assist gives him 28 points so far this season moving him into solo third for most points in a single-season by a freshman while his 16 assists are now tied for the fourth-most in a season by a Nittany Lion rookie.
- Mack's goal is his fourth of the season tying his career-high set last year while he is now just one point shy of his career-best 12 also achieved in 2022-23.
- With one goal and one assist, DiMarsico registers his fifth multi-point effort of the season.
NEXT UP
Penn State returns home as Big Ten play rolls on with a weekend set against Ohio State. Saturday's contest will serve as the annual Wear White game.
For more information on the 2023-24 season presented by the Penn State Bookstore: Official Bookstore of Penn State Athletics, visit the men's hockey page at GoPSUsports.com or call 1-800-NITTANY Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.