Irish can't protect lead

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — No. 7-ranked Notre Dame built a 2-0 lead through two periods of play but fifth-ranked Providence College scored late in the third period to force overtime and went on to defeat the Irish 3-2 Friday night at Schneider Arena (3,033).

Dylan Malmquist staked the Irish to a 1-0 lead at 5:50 of the first period and then Jake Evans notched his eighth goal of the season with just over five minutes to play in the second period for the 2-0 lead.

But then Notre Dame faced a barrage of penalty kills in the third period and Brandon Tanev eventually got the Friars on the board with a power-play goal at 13:35.

“I think the penalties changed the momentum of the game,” ND head coach Jeff Jackson said. “They (Providence) play a heavy game and they are tough to handle and I give them credit.”

With 2:23 to play in the third, Brian Pinho scored for Providence to make it a 2-2 game.

After the game-tying goal, Anders Bjork, who finished with a pair of assists, and Steven Fogarty had chances but could not beat Ellis before the end of regulation.

Then at 1:23 of overtime, Trevor Mingoia won it for Providence, knocking home a rebound at the back post after Petersen made a save on an Erik Foley shot.

“We’re a young group and it shows up every once in a while, and it did tonight against a very experienced team,” Jackson said.

Petersen, who was tested all night including a left pad save on a Nick Saracino breakaway in the second period, finished with 35 saves.

Nick Ellis totaled 20 saves in the Providence net.

Notre Dame finished 0-for-2 on the power play, while Providence was 1-for-6.

The Irish and Friars will close out their weekend series Saturday night at Schneider Arena (7:05 p.m.).