Mikey Kuzma’s last-minute goal gives Notre Dame ice hockey first win of season – Trentonian

WEST WINDSOR — The youngsters stepped up in a big way for the Notre Dame ice hockey team in a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over Robbinsville/Allentown.

Freshman Mikey Kuzma was in the right place at the right time for two goals in the final four minutes of the game, including the game-winner with 15 seconds left in regulation. Kuzma found himself alone on the doorstep for both goals, his first two in a Notre Dame sweater.

“I just wanted to get to the net. I knew my teammates were going to get me the puck,” Kuzma said. “Shoutout to them for making it easy for me.”

Robbinsville/Allentown got the scoring started less than a minute into the game, with junior Charlie Luizza finding the back of the net for his fifth goal of the season.

It seemed like R/A were going to find a lot more following its fast start, but Notre Dame goalie Cole Werthman denied chance after chance throughout the rest of the opening period.

Then, it was the Irish who came out flying in the second, spending more time in their offensive zone. Sophomore Jake Moog stuck a redirection past Zander Wiley for Notre Dame’s opening goal early in the period.

“We have a lot of confidence in these young guys,” ND coach Mike McVey said. “They know we’re going to struggle at times but we’re working through it. They’re playing harder, making less mistakes. There’s just a great attitude and vibe around the team.”

R/A continued to bring pressure into its offensive zone, peppering Werthman with shots, but the junior stood tall to keep Notre Dame in it. When it was all said and done, Werthman finished the game with 44 saves, the second most of his high school career.

“We know what we’re going to get from him. He stands on his head every game,” McVey said. “He’s going to make that first save every time, we just have to eliminate the tap-ins.”

With the score deadlocked after two periods, R/A turned it back up again to start the third. Less than two minutes into the final frame, senior Jaiden Gingras found the puck amidst a scramble, putting it past Werthman to regain the lead.

R/A continued to push but were unable to find a third goal. With still a chance to salvage at least a tie, Notre Dame picked it up in the final five minutes, finding an equalizer with four minutes, then the game-winner from Kuzma to snatch the victory away.

“I hope it hurts because we deserved it. We outplayed them for two and a half periods then decided not to defend in our end,” R/A coach…