Neil’s Notebook: Notre Dame's Second-Period Outburst Does in Spartans

By Neil Koepke

MSUSpartans.com staff writer

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – Michigan State won the battle of the third period, outshooting Notre Dame 13-7.

But, oh, that second period. One to forget and one the Spartans haven’t experienced most of the season.

How bad was it?

Notre Dame scored five goals in 15 minutes, taking advantage of several MSU turnovers and other mistakes.

The No. 5-ranked Irish built a 6-1 lead after 40 minutes and went on to a 6-3 Big Ten series-opening victory over the Spartans in front of a near-sellout crowd of 4,460 on Friday night at Compton Family Arena.

Notre Dame (23-8-2 overall, 17-5-1-1) Big Ten) scored on three breakaways, two point-blank shots and one rebound. One goal was…