KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Notre Dame scored the game's lone goal early in the third period as it defeated the University of Maine men's ice hockey team 1-0 on Friday night in the opening game of the 2012 Ice Breaker Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
It was a defensive battle between the two teams as the game was scoreless through two periods, with Notre Dame holding a 22-12 edge in shots on goal. Maine's defensive corps had six of the 12 shots on goal through two periods of play. Late in the second period, Maine goalie Dan Sullivan (York, Pa.) kept the game scoreless with an outstanding pad save.
Notre Dame got on the board with a goal 2:59 into the third period on a pile up in front of the Maine goal. After several changes, T.J. Tynan stuffed the puck past Maine goalie Sullivan five hole, giving the Irish the 1-0 lead. Bryan Rust and Robbie Russo each assisted on the goal.
Dan Sullivan was impressive in goal for the Black Bears, stopping 33 of the 34 shots that he faced in the game. He falls to 0-2-0 on the season. Steven Summerhays made 22 saves in goal for Notre Dame.
Maine dips to 0-2-0 on the season, while Notre Dame opens their regular season with a victory.
The Black Bears return to action on Saturday, Oct. 13 when they face either Nebraska-Omaha or Army in the consolation game the 2012 Ice Breaker Tournament at 4:30 eastern time / 3:30 central at the Sprint Center.