SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The University of Notre Dame hockey team completed the comeback Friday with an overtime game-winning goal scored by Cole Knuble to lift the Irish to a 3-2 victory over Wisconsin as they opened their Big Ten Conference slate.
After holding the 1-0 lead throughout the majority of the first half, the Badgers bounced back to net two quick goals late in the second period to take the 2-1 lead. Their lead did not last long however as the Irish answered moments later to knot things up heading into the final period of play while the ND netminding continued to be sound, backstopping the Irish to their fourth Friday night win of the season.
The Irish got on the board first when Henry Nelson buried a shot from the top of the near circle to take the 1-0 lead at 7:38 of the opening period.
Wisconsin was called for the first infraction Friday night, boarding, with 6:20 to play in the first period. Justin Janicke and Danny Nelson both had looks on net early in the man-advantage but could not convert on the two-minute penalty.
The Irish continued to hold possession late in the opening frame but took a penalty in the final minute and were tasked with their first penalty kill of the evening.
The penalty carried over into the second period but the Irish successfully killed it off and returned to full strength at 1:12 of the middle frame.
The two teams battled through the second period, with the Irish nearing even in shots on goal with the Badgers halfway through the contest.
A call behind the Irish net went in favor of the visitors and a Notre Dame defender was sent to the box for interference. The Badgers would capitalize on the powerplay opportunity at 15:02 to even the score 1-1.
The Badgers took the lead just over three minutes after a Wisconsin shot from below the circle wound its way past the glove of Say and into the back of the net at 18:16 of the second period. The lead did not last long however as just 31 seconds later Brennan Ali deflected a shot from the point through the five-hole of Tommy Scarfone for the equalizing tally.
The score would hold through 40 minutes played with both teams looking for an answer in the third.
Notre Dame was called for the first penalty of the third period, a holding call on an Irish attacker sent the penalty kill unit back on the ice. The Irish were able to get a few rushes up the other end of the ice but an odd-man-rush from Justin Janicke and Axel Kumlin sailed just wide of the Badger net and…