ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The No. 20/19 University of Notre Dame hockey team defeated No. 4/4 Michigan, 2-1, Saturday night in overtime to clinch the fourth-seed in the Big Ten Tournament and home ice for the first round. The two teams battled hard in the regular season finale, with Ryan Bischel turning aside 48 shots to secure the overtime thriller. Drew Bavaro scored both goals for the Irish in the 2-1 victory, earning player of the game honors from his teammates.
The officials whistled their fifth interference call of the weekend as the Irish headed to the penalty kill early in the first period. The visitors successfully killed off the penalty just under 10 minutes into the contest before both sides were called for crosschecking coincidentals shortly after.
A series of crosschecking calls ensued with the Irish and Wolverines each getting a second powerplay opportunity but neither side could capitalize as it returned to five-on-five hockey.
Michigan’s Adam Fantilli hit an unsuspecting Irish defenseman in their end and was served a five minute major and removed from the game. The Irish had 48 seconds on the powerplay to end the period, nearly capitalizing as the horn sounded, but the two teams skated to the first intermission in a 0-0 stalemate.
The remaining Michigan major was negated early in the second stanza when the Irish were called for interference at 2:30 of the period.
With shots even partway through the second period, both teams continued to search for the opening goal but Bischel and Michigan’s netminder stood tall on either end, casting aside all 11 shots faced a piece.
The two netminders continued to impress through the middle frame as the Irish and Wolverines went to their respective locker rooms still scoreless at the second intermission.
Michigan was whistled early in the third period and the Irish controlled possession through the entirety of the penalty. With five seconds left on the man-advantage, Drew Bavaro buried a shot from the point to break the stalemate.
After turning aside 31 shots on the night, one beat Bischel with 10:01 to play to knot things up 1-1.
The Irish had three shots shortly after trickle just wide of the net as Landon Slaggert, Chayse Primeau and Chase Blackmun each had a chance at the net. After the Wolverines cleared the zone Tyler Carpenter created an odd-man rush back into the offensive end but his shot ricocheted off the post as play continued with the scoreboard flashing 1-1.
Despite near chances…