Penn State men’s hockey (2-6-1, 1-2-1 Big Ten) lost to Notre Dame (3-6-0, 1-2-0 Big Ten) 5-4 on Friday night at Pegula Ice Arena.

After giving up an early lead, Penn State jumped out to a 4-2 lead after some special teams heroics, before letting up three unanswered including the game winner in overtime.

How It Happened

Danny Nelson won the opening draw for the Fighting Irish, getting the game started. Penn State controlled the first shift of the contest, with Nolan Collins firing the first shot off the pad of Patrick Quinlan.

Ryder Fetterolf saw his action of the game just over three minutes in, when he made a sliding save on a shot from Nelson. Fetterolf wasn’t as lucky the next shot, as Paul Fischer beat him high to give Notre Dame the early lead.

The Nittany Lions responded well with some nice looks at the Irish net, but Quinlan stood strong in goal.

The first power play of the game belonged to Penn State, with Cole Brown being sent to the box for cross-checking just over halfway through the first.

Justin Poirier made the most of the opportunity, sniping it high off a feed from Dane Dowiak to tie the contest 1-1.

Shortside Snipe #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/nXTNybkFxG

— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) November 7, 2026

Soon after the goal, Penn State went back on the power play following a tripping minor. Lev Katzin made quick work of the man-advantage, receiving a pass from Poirier and burying the puck in the back of the net to give the Nittany Lions the lead.

Justin Poirier with a beautiful cross-ice feed to Lev Katzin, he already has a goal and an assist in the first period and is up to 12 points on the season https://t.co/iY82eIjpZw

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 7, 2026

Penn State hung on to its lead with little further action leading into the first intermission.

The Irish controlled early play in the middle frame, tying it in the opening minutes with a Dashel Oliver goal.

The Nittany Lions retook the lead quickly, with Shea Busch scoring on a rebound chance to make it 3-2.

Welcome to Hockey Valley, Shea Busch! His first collegiate goal gives Penn State a 3-2 lead over Notre Dame https://t.co/JGNyotukaP

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 7, 2026

Just as the game passed its midway point, Notre Dame broke away on a two-on-zero but came up short on the opportunity as Evan Werner just deflected the puck wide of the net.

Marco Mignosa was rung up for holding with just over seven minutes left to play in the second, giving the Irish their first power play of the game.

After a Penn State clear, Busch took the puck from Quinlan behind the net and scored a shorthanded wraparound goal to double the Nittany Lion lead. Penn State finished the penalty kill soon after.

"I'll take that, thank you!" – Shea Busch, probably.#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/jJiUESgilO

— Penn State Men’s Hockey (@PennStateMHKY) November 7, 2026

The Nittany Lions went on a third power play chance quickly after the penalty kill. Two saves by Quinlan highlighted the first Notre Dame penalty kill.

Another penalty was called late in the second, with Dowiak taking a seat for holding. With just over 15 seconds remaining in the second, the Irish cut into Penn State’s lead with a Brennan Ali deflection goal.

Notre Dame nearly tied it early in the final period with chaos in the crease, but Fetterolf fought to keep the puck out.

The Irish continued to apply pressure as the third progressed Nelson tied the game with a deflection goal.

Fetterolf made two saves on a Notre Dame breakaway to keep the game tied with just under nine minutes left in regulation.

Another Notre Dame power play occurred late, as Dowiak was rung up for boarding with just over four minutes left in the third. Penn State did a good job blocking shots and clearing the puck on the kill, with Fetterolf only needing to make one save.

Quinlan made some of his best saves of the night in the final minute of regulation, robbing Kale Dach and Reese Laubach to send the game to overtime.

Notre Dame controlled possession for much of the first half of overtime, with Fetterolf coming up big with three big saves, before finally being beaten by Werner to win it for the Irish.

Takeaways

• A truly even game offensively,barely with Notre Dame barley edging out the lead in shots 42-40.
• Despite the loss, Justin Poirier continues to lead the Penn State offense. He had a goal and an assist, both on the power play.
• Danny Nelson was a man on a mission for the Fighting Irish; he had a goal and an assist in the victory.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will look to avoid being swept when they conclude their series with Notre Dame on Saturday November 7. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Pegula Ice Arena, and the contest will be streamed on Big Ten Plus. It will also be the team’s annual Teddy Bear Toss game.

About the Author