South Bend Ind. — Niagara put 26 shots on goal Friday night and could not get one past Nicholas Kempf as they fell to Notre Dame 4-0 at Compton Family Ice Arena.
The Purple Eagles fell to 1-3-1, while the Fighting Irish improved to 2-0-0.
First period
Niagara carried the early play and outshot Notre Dame 9-7. The Purple Eagles got their first power play 1 minute, 12 seconds in, when Henry Nelson went off for roughing. They managed one shot on goal, a Jack Richard attempt that Kempf turned aside. Notre Dame's Jayden Davis nearly scored shorthanded, but his shot hit the pipe.
Niagara's best stretch came on a 4-on-3 advantage at 12:33. Danny Nelson and Cole Brown went off for roughing, while Mitchell Young was called for holding the stick. Niagara fired three shots in less than a minute, and Kempf stopped Jacob Maillet and Hunter Wallace.
Niagara killed the ensuing Notre Dame power play, and Tomas Anderson stopped all seven shots he faced in the period. Noah Hackett tested Kempf twice in eight seconds late in the period, and Ray Murakami added a shot as the period wound down.
Second period
Niagara went on the power play 27 seconds into the period after Werner was called for hooking. The Purple Eagles had five attempts, but only two reached Kempf. Hackett got another shot on goal right after the penalty expired.
The pressure continued midway through the period. Hackett, Theo Lemieux, Ross Roloson, Brayden Boehm and Mitchell Young all took shots between 4:04 and 6:29, but Kempf stopped each one.
Werner broke the scoreless tie at 13:25 on a goal assisted by Danny Nelson. Fimis made it 2-0 at 15:46 with an assist from Jimmy Jurcev. Niagara had a late power play after a Michael Schermerhorn cross-checking minor but could not get a shot through. Notre Dame led the period in shots 11-9.
Third period
Down two goals, Niagara kept shooting and had eight shots on goal. Boehm led the way with three in the period. Jack Rosensteel and Ryan Humphrey each had a shot.
The Purple Eagles' best chance came on a power play after Fischer was called for delay of game at 10:14. Richard, Mitchell Young and Maillet all shot, and Kempf saved all three. Niagara then killed a Notre Dame power play after Humphrey was penalized for indirect contact to the head, and Boehm got a shorthanded shot on goal.
Niagara pulled Anderson for an extra attacker with 3:04 left. Belle scored into the empty net 11 seconds later for a 3-0 lead. Anderson returned briefly and was pulled again, and Werner added another empty-netter with 2:20 left.
Niagara Notes
Niagara is now 1-5-1 all-time against Notre Dame
Jack Rosensteel made his collegiate debut
Boehm led the Purple and White with five shots on goal
The Purple Eagles won the face-off battle 31-29
Niagara blocked 16 shots with Mancini and Murakami leading the way with three a piece.
Up Next
Niagara stays on the road in non-conference play to face Bowling Green Friday October 16 at 7:07 pm.
