Notre Dame came into this season with high hopes. But those good feelings are fading quickly. The Fighting Irish lost to Alaska by the score of 6-3 on Friday, January 27.
The loss was their second straight, and first on the season against the Nanooks. Notre Dame is now 14-10-3 on the season and 9-8-3-0 in the CCHA. Their 30-point total leaves Notre Dame in seventh place in the conference, only 9 points ahead of tenth place Alaska.
Notre Dame once again had no answer for sophomore forward Cody Kunyk. In their November 11 matchup, Kunyk lit up the Irish defense for a hat trick. He would be just as dangerous on this evening, registering two power play goals and an assist. His tallies continue a disturbing trend for Notre Dame of allowing multiple power plays goals against.
The game essentially ended for Notre Dame in the second period. After getting an early T.J. Tynan marker to tie the game at 2, the Irish took costly penalties. Kunyk got his first on the night to give the Nanooks the 3-2 lead. Just two minutes later, Andy Taranto scored on a beautiful deflection that also chased Irish goalie Steven Summerhays from the contest.
The switch to Mike Johnson did not stop the bleeding for Notre Dame. The Irish were in the penalty box when Kunyk netted his second power play goal of the evening. That left the score at 5-2 and essentially ended the game being competitive. Each team would add a goal in the final period to make it 6-3.
Notre Dame is picking the wrong time for a cold spell. They have plummeted in the conference standings and could make their first round opponent in the CCHA Playoffs a particularly tough one. The team needs to start putting out a consistent effort every time they take the ice. The team has responded well to big games, but does not seem to bring the same fire against lower echelon squads.
There are only nine games now for Notre Dame before the CCHA Playoffs. A continued run like the last few weeks could be devastating to the Irish. Notre Dame has no guarantee of a spot in the NCAA Tournament and could need a decent streak to secure a position. This team entered the season with dreams of returning to the Frozen Four. If they do not start winning soon, that dream could become a nightmare.
John Atchison has been a loyal Irish supporter since childhood. There are times when he can be heard singing, Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame! Follow him on Twitter @John_Atchison.
Sources: und.com/sports/m-hockey.
Real Country 99.9 FM.