No. 17 Penn State men’s hockey lost control of an early two-goal lead in its 5-3 setback versus No. 2 Notre Dame Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena.

Guy Gadowsky’s Nittany Lions dropped both games of their November road series in South Bend earlier this season.

How It Happened

Penn State took a 2-0 lead into the first intermission thanks to goals from Alec Marsh and Chase Berger. Junior right winger Andrew Sturtz notched an assist on both plays to bring his career points total to 97 in his first 102 games. He would add another assist later in the contest on Berger’s second goal to inch closer to the century mark.

Spurred on by a White Out crowd, the Nittany Lions nearly established a 4-0 advantage in the first period, but Notre Dame goalie Cale Morris made a tremendous stick save on Kris Myllari early, and Brandon Biro’s chip-in goal was negated due to a hand pass a few minutes later after a lengthy review. Morris finished with a game-high 48 saves.

Alternate captain Andrew Oglevie scored Notre Dame’s first goal four minutes into the second period to make it 2-1. Not long after, sophomore defenseman Andrew Peeke tied things up. Berger, however, soon tallied his 10th goal of the season with 10:59 left in the second to again put Penn State out in front.

Notre Dame’s Bo Brauer evened the score once more, 3-3, on assists from Joe Wegwerth and Matt Hellickson two minutes and change before the break. Brauer delivered another huge goal with 15:39 to go in the game, giving the Fighting Irish their first lead of the night. Dawson Cook provided a cushion seven minutes later to cap the scoring.

Player Of The Game

Bo Brauer | Senior | Defenseman

The Edina, Minn., native beat Peyton Jones with each of his two shots on goal Friday.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions (13-12-4) and Notre Dame (21-5-1) return to Pegula Saturday at 4 p.m. for the series finale.