COLORADO SPRINGS — The roll call is legendary, the sports tradition steeped in glory. But hockey has never been what has made Notre Dame world-famous.
But getting to its first NCAA Frozen Four will certainly help, as the Fighting Irish achieved with Saturday’s clutch 3-1 victory over defending national champion Michigan State in the finals of the West Regional tournament at World Arena.
Captain Mark Van Guilder’s goal with 5:54 left in the third period broke a 1-1 tie for Notre Dame, and defenseman Teddy Ruth blasted an insurance slap-shot goal by tough Spartans goalie Jeff Lerg.
Notre Dame will play Michigan April 10 at the Pepsi Center.
The Fighting Irish beat New Hampshire on Friday night to earn the right to play the Spartans, and they were the better team most of the game. Notre Dame started Division I conference play in 1971, but had never advanced this deep in the NCAA tourney.
Fighting Irish forward Christian Hanson, whose father, Dave, was one of the Hanson brothers in the movie, “Slap Shot,” had a goal and an assist in the win, along with two goals in Friday’s victory.
“Here we go!” Hanson said, as he exited the ice, hugging a team employee.
One Notre Dame official even had tears in his eyes from the emotion of the win.
Van Guilder, a senior right wing, beat Lerg from the slot after a Spartans turnover. He kicked the puck to his forehand and put it over Lerg’s right shoulder.
“You could tell they were pretty hungry out there,” said Lerg, who made 41 saves in Friday’s win over Colorado College. “We know how it feels on the winning side, and now we know what it’s like on the losing side. But that’s the game.”
Said Michigan State coach Rick Comley: “Unfortunately, we turned the puck over and they capitalized. But Notre Dame played very well, and they deserve credit.”
Adrian Dater: 303-954-1360 or adater@denverpost.com
