The ingredients were there for Notre Dame hockey this weekend. They were facing the last place team in the CCHA, with a glorious chance to improve their playoff seeding. They opened the weekend series with a 2-1 victory over Bowling Green on Friday, February 3. With a chance to pull off the crucial sweep, the Irish gave up a third period lead and lost 3-2 to the Falcons on Saturday, February 4.
The loss was simply devastating on so many fronts. It leaves the Irish with only six regular season games to go and several teams to have to pass. Notre Dame is now 16-11-3 overall, with an 11-8-3-0 record within the CCHA. They are clinging to a tie for fourth place and now sit five points behind first-place Ferris State.
I have to open up by saying that I did not care for the switch back to Steven Summerhays in goal. Mike Johnson had posted back-to-back victories in the last two games, including only one goal the night before versus the Falcons. He was riding a hot streak and should have gone back between the pipes. Summerhays has done admirable work this season, but down the stretch, you go with the hot hand.
With that said, Notre Dame came with plenty of fire. Halfway through period one, the team jumped to the lead with a power play marker from Robbie Russo. The goal came as the result of deft passing from the combination of Anders Lee and T.J. Tynan. Unfortunately, the Irish defensive lapses cost them that lead a short time later.
Notre Dame has shown an annoying habit of giving up odd man rushes lately. Bowling Green knotted the score at one, after Cameron Wojtala converted a two on one in the last five minutes. The second period was a snooze, except for the Irish getting a Stephen Johns power play goal to make it 2-1. Both teams combined for nine shots total in the second frame.
I felt good about a sweep, as Real Country 99.9 FM mentioned that Notre Dame was 12-1-1 when holding the lead going into the third period. Bowling Green robbed me of that happy feeling less than six minutes into the third. Ryan Carpenter broke in on another two on one and beat Steven Summerhays to tie the score. That uncomfortable third period feeling from Friday was back again.
This time, Notre Dame would not have that last second reprieve. Ryan Carpenter pounced on the loose biscuit and scored past Summerhays to give the Falcons the lead. The goal came because of the Irish not clearing their zone and it ended up costing them the game. Notre Dame now faces the daunting task of playing first-place Ferris State in a home and home series. Those games with take place February 10 and 11, 2012.
John Atchison has been a loyal Irish supporter since childhood. There are often 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