Lucia coming on strong for Irish

DURHAM, N.H. – Led by Mario Lucia’s three-point night, 13th-ranked Notre Dame (13-4-7, 9-1-2 Hockey East) extended the nation’s longest unbeaten streak (8-0-3) to 11 games with a 5-1 win at New Hampshire Friday night in front of 4,292 at the Whittemore Center.

Connor Hurley and Lucia staked Notre Dame to a 2-0 lead just 6:42 into the first period. Lucia finished with two goals and an assist for a three-point night.

“All of a sudden he (Lucia) has started to come on,” coach Jeff Jackson said after the game. “That’s only going to make us a better hockey team because historically he’s been a 20-goal scorer. In the last three weeks he’s started to show that scoring touch.”

The Irish finished 2-for-4 on the power play, while limiting one of the nation’s top power plays to 0-for-3. Anders Bjork scored Notre Dame’s third goal to extend his point streak to nine games (7-7-14). Sam Herr also scored, while Hurley finished with a goal and an assist.

In net, Cal Petersen stopped 25 shots.