SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Moving from one conference to another can often be an adjustment for most programs.
But top-ranked Notre Dame (22-5-2, 16-2-1-1) took control of the Big Ten race early and ran away from the rest of the pack and clinched a regular season championship in the process, defeating No. 6 Ohio State (18-7-4, 11-7-1-0 Big Ten) 2-1 in front of 5,291 at the Compton Family Ice Arena.
It’s the sixth conference championship all-time for Notre Dame. The previous five were in the CCHA. Friday’s win was the first time the program had clinched a regular season conference title on home ice.
The win guarantees coach Jeff Jackson’s squad a first-round bye in the upcoming Big Ten Conference Tournament and home-ice advantage throughout the tournament.
It also gives The Fighting Irish time off after the regular season ends and they won’t play their first tournament game until the March 10 semifinals.
Notre Dame was presented with the regular season championship trophy and didn’t want to touch it at first, before finally hoisting it up in front of the fans that stuck around for the postgame festivities.
But Jackson doesn’t want his team to rest on their laurels.
“This is part of the process and there is more to play for,” he said. “We need to keep working and getting better and not take anything for granted.”
The Buckeyes outshot The Fighting Irish 32-29. Ohio State had a 10-7 advantage in shots on goal in the first period and both teams each had 11 shots in the final two periods.
Notre Dame struck first on an even-strength goal from Andrew Oglevie at 12:49. It was Oglevie’s 12th goal of the season and came off assists from Dylan Malmquist and Cal Burke.
Down a goal after one, Buckeyes coach Steve Rohlik was encouraged by what he saw from his team early on.
“I thought we played a great road period,” he said of the first.
That momentum carried over into the second.
A high sticking call on Notre Dame’s Mike O’Leary early in the second period gave Ohio State a power play opportunity and the Buckeyes took advantage. Kevin Miller scored at 6:52 to tie it up. It was Miller’s fourth goal of the season off assists from John Whitala and Gordi Meyer.
The Fighting Irish responded moments later when Jordan Gross scored his seventh goal at 9:36 off assists from Jake Evans and Cam Morrison.
Jackson said both goals were a result of a complete team effort.
“It’s guys away from the puck that create offense and we got to continue to work (on that),” he said.
From then on, the game turned into an outstanding defensive battle between Notre Dame goal Cale Morris and Ohio State’s Sean Romeo. Both shined brightly in the game’s final 30 minutes fending off shots on goal while the defenses were outstanding, including the Buckeyes killing two 5-on-3 Fighting Irish power plays.
“Our goalie played well and our penalty killing stood tall and gave us a chance,” Rohlik said. “We had chances.”
Rohlik pulled Romeo in the final two minutes for an extra attacker. But Notre Dame was able to thwart Ohio State’s efforts in the final minutes.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Jackson said. “For me, the reward was watching the kids. Tonight was like a playoff game.”
Even though Notre Dame ran away with the Big Ten regular season title, it’s the tournament that will be the ultimate test.
“Anybody can beat anybody from top to bottom,” Rohlik said. “And parity is at an all-time high.”