Penn State men’s hockey (2-7-1, 0-3-1 Big Ten) lost to Notre Dame (4-6-0, 2-2-0 Big Ten) 4-2 on Saturday night at Pegula Ice Arena during the annual Teddy Bear Toss Game.

After jumping out to an early lead, the Nittany Lions conceded four unanswered goals, a deficit they couldn’t come back from.

How It Happened

Josh Fleming got the start at the net for the Nittany Lions, opposite Patrick Quinlan, who made his second start of the series for the Fighting Irish.

Kale Dach won the opening draw to begin the game. Regardless, Hagen Burrows fired the game’s first shot for Notre Dame, but Fleming was there to deflect the puck out of play.

After conceding the first shot, Penn State controlled possession for much of the early play, with Quinlan making several key saves, namely on Justin Larose and Mac Gadowsky.

Quinlan continued his strong start as the first period passed its halfway point, robbing Shea Busch out in front to keep the game scoreless.

The first power play of the contest belonged to the Nittany Lions, as Notre Dame was caught with too many men on the ice. The man advantage was cut short when Caeden Herrington collided with Quinlan in the crease and was sent off for goalie interference.

In four-on-four play, Jackson Smith received a pass from Justin Poirier and buried it in the back of the Notre Dame net to make it 1-0.

Jackson Smith's third goal of the season! He's up to 12 points and is skating in his 10th game of the season https://t.co/XOIFXG7b9s

— Onward Sports (@OnwardStSports) November 8, 2026

Penn State killed the remainder of the Herrington minor to preserve its lead as the period neared its end.

Both goalies finished the first strong, with Quinlan making another larcenous save on Busch and Fleming stopping two shots in the final minutes to keep it at 1-0 going into the intermission.

Less than a minute into the second, Carter Slaggert found a rebound in front of the Nittany Lion net and beat Fleming to tie the game.

After giving up the goal, the Nittany Lions responded with a few nice shifts, but Quinlan stood strong in net.

Around the midway point in the game, Reese Laubach was charged with a slashing minor. A great save by Fleming on a Beckham Edwards breakaway highlighted the kill for Penn State.

The Irish took control of play late in the second, with Danny Nelson giving Notre Dame the lead with just over three minutes left in the period. Jackson Smith and Sammy Nelson were both called for unsportsmanlike conduct minors after the play.

Five-on-five play returned quickly before the period ended with the Irish still up 2-1.

Just 32 seconds into the final frame, Fleming misplayed a puck behind the net, allowing Danny Nelson to net his second of the contest.

Soon after, Pano Fimis extended the Irish lead to 4-1 with a rocket of a shot that got past Fleming.

Hagen Burrows was called for hooking minutes later, sending Penn State on the power play. The Nittany Lions couldn’t muster a shot on goal while up a man, and the game returned to even strength before long.

With just over 12 minutes left to play, Lev Katzin was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, giving the Irish another power play chance. Flaming made three saves while down a defender to kill the penalty.

Following the kill, Maddox Fleming and Poirier were both sent to the box, letting the game go to four-on-four yet again. Both players returned to the ice with no further goals on the scoreboard.

The chippy play continued with regulation running low, as Jaedon Kerr was sent to the box for roughing with just over five minutes left to play. Danie Dowiak made quick work of the power play, sniping one up high to make it 4-2.

The Nittany Lions pulled Fleming with just over three minutes left in the contest, but were unable to score as they fell 4-2.

Takeaways

• For the second game in a row, the Nittany Lions controlled play early, then were dominated in the final two periods. Notre Dame outscored Penn State 7-3 in the second and third periods during the series.
• Danny Nelson proved why he’s Notre Dame’s captain. He capped off a great series with a two-goal showing.
• A physical game through and through, there was plenty of contact after the whistle and nine total penalties in the last two periods.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will head on the road, where they’ll take on Michigan in a two-game series. The first game is scheduled for Friday, November 13. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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