Notre Dame Hockey Shines in Home-Opening Series; Sweeps St. Lawrence
- Brenden Duffy
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Photo via Notre Dame Athletics
Notre Dame put on a show for the Irish fans at Compton Ice Arena in a sweep of the St. Lawrence Saints. The Irish outscored the Saints 11-2 in the two games, with newcomers leading the way offensively and solid performances from sophomore goalie Nicholas Kempf.
The Irish gave a warm welcome to first-year Head Coach Brock Sheahan on Thursday when they routed St. Lawrence 8-2. Six Notre Dame skaters recorded multiple points in the game, with Michigan transfer Evan Werner leading the way with four points (1 goal, 3 assists).
After allowing two of the first three shots he faced behind him, Kempf had a clean rest of the game thanks to good defensive play, finishing with 19 saves.
The Irish’s second line got the scoring started with under five minutes remaining in the first when Cole Knuble found the back of the net for his first goal of the season off of a pass left behind by Brennan Ali. Linemate Pano Fimis was also credited with an assist on the score that brought the Irish within one nearing the end of the period.
The rest of the game was pure domination from the Irish as they outshot the Saints 34-10 in the second and third frames. In the second, Werner and defenseman Axel Kumlin each tallied a goal and an assist, leading Notre Dame to a 4-0 period that put them ahead 5-2. RPI transfer Sutter Muzzatti has made his impact felt early in his Irish tenure, as he added his team-leading third goal of the season with under a minute remaining in the period.
Notre Dame’s top power play unit put on a clinic in the third period, adding two goals on three man-advantage opportunities. Knuble added his second goal of the game 3:46 into the frame off assists from Paul Fischer and Werner. Then, with under three minutes left in the game, Fischer and Knuble assisted on Henry Nelson’s PPG, his second of the season. Freshman Cole Brown notched his first goal of the year midway through the third after finishing his own rebound.
Some keys to the Irish victory on Thursday included a strong penalty kill unit and dominance at the dot. Notre Dame successfully killed ten penalty minutes, again, thanks to good defensive play from the likes of Fischer and Kumlin. The Irish finished the game with a 35-20 advantage in faceoffs, led by Fimis who went 13-1.
Notre Dame debuted their new “Hockey Leprechaun” alternates on Friday in a feisty game featuring 19 penalties totaling 38 minutes. This did lead to a more tame result compared to the night prior, with Kempf posting a 26-save shutout in a 3-0 Irish win, marking his first collegiate career shutout. Coach Sheahan and Defenseman Captain Michael Mastrodomenico sang Kempf's praises postgame, acknowledging his development and status as one of the best goalies at his age in the country. Brown led the offensive attack with assists on all three goals, bringing him to four points on the year.
Mastrodomenico knocked in his first goal of the season in front of the net on the power play 8:52 into the game with assists from Brown and Kumlin. Kempf finished the first period with 12 saves, as the Irish held on to the early 1-0 lead. Irish freshman Will Belle and a Saints defenseman got into it as the period ended, resulting in matching minor penalties.
Just over seven minutes into the second, Fischer tallied his second goal of the season on a coast-to-coast rush with assists being awarded to Brown and the rare goalie point for Kempf. Saints Goalie Mason Kucenski had an otherwise strong period, coming up with 17 saves against the Irish during the frame. Notre Dame outshot the Saints 18-9 in a period that featured eight combined penalties, including an unsportsmanlike conduct against Henry Nelson as the period buzzer sounded.
The third period was more of the same with Notre Dame outshooting the Saints 12-5. With about eight minutes left in the game, Fimis found a trailing Werner on a breakaway opportunity and he was able to bury his second goal of the season. Brown was also awarded an assist on the score that put the Irish up 3-0. Danny Nelson picked up two minor penalties in the frame, but the Irish PK was too strong for St. Lawrence as Notre Dame completed the sweep of the Saints.
Stars of the Series:
F Evan Werner - 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists), 10 shots, +4 ice rating
F Cole Brown - 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists), 5 shots, 1 blocked shot, +3 ice rating
D Axel Kumlin - 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists), 3 shots, 2 blocked shots, +4 ice rating
D Paul Fischer - 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists), 4 shots, 3 blocked shots, +2 ice rating
G Nicholas Kempf - 2-0-0, 45 saves, 2 goals allowed, 1 assist
Notre Dame will look to continue their roll at home next week against Robert Morris.
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