The Irish fell to Michigan 4-0 Thursday night in the first of a two-game series.
Notre Dame managed 20 shots on goal, but Wolverine goalkeepers turned all 20 away.
Irish freshman goalie Mike Johnson saved 23 shots, but Michigan (19-16-1, 14-12-1-0 CCHA) sent two pucks into the back of the net in each of the first and third periods.
Wolverines Matt Rust and Chad Langlais scored in the first period, and Brian Lebler and Chris Summers cemented the game with a goal apiece in the third. On the defensive end for Michigan, goaltender Shawn Hunwick stopped 14 shots, and once the Wolverines were up three goals, Bryan Hogan stepped into the goal and stopped six shots in 11 minutes.
Sophomore wing Richard Ryan had the most chances for the Irish (12-15-8, 8-12-7-2) as he managed three shots on goal. Ryan and the Irish opened the game aggressively, taking 11 shots in the first period, compared to seven by Michigan, but in the next two periods Notre Dame was outshot 20-9.
The two teams complete their home-and-home series Saturday at 7:05 p.m. This will be the final game for both teams before the CCHA Tournament begins on March 5.
