Eric Boggs
For a fourth consecutive game, the No. 9/11 Ohio State men’s hockey team demonstrated its dominance over Notre Dame, securing another commanding 5-1 victory in South Bend. The Buckeyes, who swept the regular-season series against the Irish with a perfect 4-0-0 record, continued their impressive form as they improved to 18-8-2 overall and 11-6-1 in Big Ten play.
Ohio State found itself trailing early in both contests, but in each game, the Buckeyes responded with an onslaught of five unanswered goals, showcasing their resilience and offensive firepower. On Saturday, after Notre Dame took the lead midway through the first period, a crucial power-play goal by Gunnarwolfe Fontaine in the final minutes of the frame brought Ohio State level. The momentum carried into the second period, where Sam Deckhut converted on a breakaway to give the Buckeyes the lead, followed by Davis Burnside’s one-timer to extend the advantage. The third period saw two Buckeye defensemen, Nathan McBrayer and William Smith, put the game out of reach with well-placed tallies. Burnside led the team with three points, while Fontaine recorded a goal and an assist. Goaltender Logan Terness was exceptional, stopping 41 of 42 shots and ensuring Ohio State’s penalty kill remained perfect at 3-for-3.
Friday night’s matchup followed a similar script. The Irish struck first on a power-play goal late in the opening period, but the Buckeyes answered within a minute as Burnside capitalized on a setup from Damien Carfagna. The second period remained deadlocked until Ryan Gordon’s rebound effort put Ohio State ahead, and Riley Thompson doubled the lead just minutes later. The Buckeyes’ penalty kill was the difference in the final frame, shutting down a nearly minute-long 5-on-3 opportunity for Notre Dame. In the closing moments, Patrick Guzzo sealed the victory with an empty-netter, and Gordon added his second of the night to cement the 5-1 win. Terness, once again rock-solid, made 27 saves, finishing the weekend with a .971 save percentage and earning Big Ten Second Star of the Week honors.
Throughout the series, the Buckeyes displayed a well-balanced attack, disciplined defense, and a relentless work ethic. Burnside emerged as a key contributor with five points over the two games, while Fontaine maintained his position as the team’s leading scorer with 29 points on the season. The defensemen played a pivotal role, not only limiting Notre Dame’s offensive opportunities but also contributing on the scoresheet. McBrayer recorded a career-best +4 rating in Saturday’s win, and Smith’s goal further highlighted the Buckeyes’ depth.
With these victories, Ohio State heads home with momentum, set to host No. 19/20 Wisconsin for a crucial Big Ten series at Value City Arena. Fans can look forward to an electric atmosphere as the Buckeyes aim to build on their success and solidify their standing in the conference race.
