For the third time this season, Notre Dame defeated Lake Superior State University, this time with a 3-1 victory Friday night at the Taffy Abel Arena.
With 4:37 remaining to play in the first period, Cory McClean put Notre Dame on the board with an even-strength goal from Kyle Dolder and Brad Wanchulak. The goal was McClean’s first goal of the season.
At the 8:26 mark of the second Brett Lebda netted his fifth of the year to put the Irish ahead by a pair.
Senior Will Magnuson was the lone goal scorer for Lake Superior State as he capitalized on a pass from linemate Kyle Anderson at the 10:21 mark of the second period. Aaron Davis added the second assist on Magnuson’s second goal of the season.
Magnuson, usually a defenseman, played right-wing for the Lakers.
The Lakers pulled freshman goaltender Matt Violin with 1:36 remaining in the game. LSSU was unable to score, while John Wroblewski scored his ninth of the season to lift Notre Dame to a 3-1 win. Violin stopped 29 shots.
Morgan Cey made 20 saves for Notre Dame.
The loss lengthened the Lakers’ winless streak to seven games. LSSU is 0-6-1 since Jan. 25. Lake Superior State’s last win was a 6-3 victory over Miami University on Jan. 19 in Sault Ste. Marie.
Notre Dame swept the Lakers in a two-game series Dec. 1-2 in South Bend. The Irish won by scores of 7-0 and 5-2.
While Notre Dame improved to 11-15-5 (9-12-4 CCHA), the Lakers dropped to 7-22-2 (4-18-2 CCHA).
The two squads will wrap up their regular-season meetings in a 7:05 p.m. contest Saturday night in Sault Ste. Marie.
