HOCKEY: No longer winless Irish prey on Wildcats
MATT ORENCHUK
Sports Writer
The Irish hockey team took an early lead on Friday, and this time didn't blow it. Notre Dame jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Northern Michigan Friday, rallied from a 3-1 deficit, and eventually came out with a 5-4 victory. But the Irish couldn't get it done twice, and dropped the second game to the Wildcats Saturday.
Under the coaching of Dave Poulin, the Irish had gone winless in six straight before picking up the win on Friday. The Irish have had their chances for wins in previous games, but had blown several third period leads.
"We are one of the younger defensive units in the league," said sophomore Brett Lebda. "So with no seniors on the defense and a freshman goalie, it has been coming along slowly but surely."
In Friday's contest the Irish forged a 1-0 lead just 32 seconds into the game. Connor Dunlop threaded a pass through the Northern Michigan defense to senior David Inman, who was able to one time the puck past the Northern Michigan goalie for the score.
The Wildcats got on the board at the 5:06 mark of the period. Dave Bonk was able to get the puck past Irish goalie Morgan Cey for the score. Northern Michigan then went on to score two more goals in the next 2:47 of the first period to take a 3-1 lead.
In the second the Irish came back thanks to their defensemen and Dunlop. Defensemen Lebda and freshman Derek Smith scored three second period goals to take a 4-3 lead into the second intermission. Lebda scored first, with Dunlop on the assist. Lebda's power play goal eight minutes into the second cut the Wildcat lead to 3-2. Four minutes after that Smith was able to put the puck home to tie the score at three, again with Dunlop on the assist. Then, with just 1:37 left in the second Lebda added his second goal of the game to put the Irish in front 4-3.
In the third Northern Michigan turned up the offensive pressure and tied it up 6:01 into the period. At the 10:19 mark the Irish scored the winning goal.
Dunlop centered a pass to Inman who was able to put it in the goal for Notre Dame's final goal. The Irish were finally able to close out a victory. Dunlop came up big, with four assists to pace Notre Dame.
One win was all the Irish could manage. On Saturday, Northern Michigan scored first for the 1-0 lead just 4:21 into the game. Notre Dame answered when Mike Chin fed John Wroblewski a crisp pass right in front of the Northern Michigan net. The goal at the 10:20 mark of the first evened the score at 1.
In the second, the Northern Michigan offense made good use of its opportunities. The Irish held their opponents to four shots on goal. Two of those shots were goals, however, that put Northern Michigan up 3-1.
The Wildcats added another goal 4:39 into the third for the final score of 4-1.
With the weekend split, the Irish improve their CCHA record to 1-1-2 on the season, and 1-5-2 overall. After a six-game road trip Notre Dame comes home this weekend. On Friday and Saturday the Irish will host CCHA opponent Ferris State.
"It's nice to be coming home," Lebda said. "Especially since we have struggled on the road, so we want to come home and continue what we did this weekend."
All Sports Stories for Monday, November 5, 2001
