Irish win Big Ten debut

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Sophomore Cal Burke and freshman Colin Theisen each had a goal and an assist and sophomore goaltender Cale Morris had 23 saves as 10th-ranked Notre Dame beat No. 16 Ohio State, 4-1, in its first game as a member of the Big Ten Conference Friday night.

The Irish (5-3-1 overall, 1-0-0-0 Big Ten) snapped a six-game unbeaten streak of the Buckeyes (5-2-2, 1-1-0-0 Big Ten). The teams concluded their two-game series Saturday night at the Value City Arena.

“For us to come in and win is a big step for our confidence,” Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson said. “We have been a little inconsistent for the first month, so it helps to come away with a good feeling about how we played against a good opponent.”

Burke scored his third goal of the season at 2:03 of the second period when he stuffed a rebound off the boards under Ohio State goaltender Sean Romero, who made 14 saves. Defensemen Matt Hellickson and Jordan Gross had assists.

Notre Dame made it 2-0 at 5:35 of the third period when Burke received a pass from Jack Jenkins in the corner and directed the puck to Dylan Malmquist in the crease for a one-timer. Exactly three minutes later, Ohio State’s Janik Moser cut the lead in half.

But sophomore Cam Morrison restored Notre Dame’s two-goal lead at 13:40 off feeds from Andrew Peeke and Theisen. Theisen then scored an empty-net goal at 19:25.