Late scores lift Irish in hockey exhibition

Behind third-period goals from Joe Wegwerth and Colin Theisen, Notre Dame opened the 2017-18 season with a 4-3 exhibition win over the U.S. National Team Development Program (U18) Sunday night at the Compton Family Ice Arena.

Cam Morrison finished with a goal and an assist and Jake Evans had two assists.

In the Notre Dame net, sophomore Cale Morris stopped 13 of the 15 shots he faced in 30:48 of work.

Freshman Dylan St. Cyr played the final 29:07 and turned aside 10 of the 11 shots he faced to earn the win.

Oliver Wahlstrom had a goal and an assist to lead Team USA.

"They are a skilled team and they really force you to work defensively because of their speed and skill level,'' ND coach Jeff Jackson said. "We came out in the third period with more energy and established the tempo and a big part of that was the one line (with Theisen, Eisenmenger and Holmberg).”

Notre Dame finished 0-for-3 on the power play, while the USNTDP were 1-for-4 and also added an extra attacker goal at 18:56 of the third period.

Notes

Jake Evans, who had a career high 29 assists last season as a junior, notched a pair of assists in the game.

Twenty-two skaters and two goaltenders were used by Jackson, including Irish debuts for Colin Theisen, Pierce Crawford, Matt Steeves, Max Eisenmenger, Felix Holmberg, Matt Hellickson and Dylan St. Cyr.

Next

The Irish will open the 2017-18 regular season with a home series Friday and Saturday evening against Alabama Huntsville (Oct. 6-7).