The Brock Sheahan era began on a high note Friday night as Notre Dame opened its 2025–2026 campaign with a 5-2 exhibition win over the U.S. National Team Development Program Under-18 team at USA Hockey Arena.
Facing a familiar preseason opponent, the Irish improved their record against the program to 6-4-2. Notre Dame showed balance and composure throughout, shaking off an early equalizer to control the pace for most of the night.
Freshman forward Pano Fimis opened the scoring just over three minutes into the first period, burying a feed from Michael Mastrodomenico. Future Irish commit A.J. Garcia evened the score for the U18s midway through the frame, but Cole Knuble restored Notre Dame’s lead late in the period with a power-play rebound to make it 2-1.
“Anytime you can get contributions across the lineup this early, it builds confidence,” head coach Brock Sheahan said. “We saw good puck movement, good spacing and a lot of compete.”
Both teams traded chances in the second period before Mastrodomenico added a goal of his own with less than a minute remaining, assisted by Graduate forward Sutter Muzzatti and freshman forward Dashel Oliver, extending the Irish lead to 3-1.
Notre Dame struck again early in the third period as freshman forward Will Belle, a former USNTDP player, scored against his old teammates after just over a minute into play. The goal marked Belle’s first as an Irish skater and came months after his selection by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2024 NHL Draft.
The USNTDP trimmed the deficit to 4-2 midway through the period on a Dayne Beuker deflection, but junior forward Jayden Davis put the game out of reach at 14:43 with Notre Dame’s fifth goal of the night.
Goaltender Nicholas Kempf, another USNTDP alum, made eight saves on 10 shots over two periods before senior Jack Williams entered in relief.
Notre Dame’s special teams proved key, converting once on three power-play chances while holding the USNTDP scoreless on four opportunities. The Irish defense limited odd-man rushes and shut down the U18s’ transition game late.
With 16 returners and 10 newcomers — including three transfers — Friday’s exhibition offered the first look at Sheahan’s lineup and system behind the bench.
“This group has a great mix of experience and energy,” Sheahan said. “It’s early, but I like where we’re headed.”
Notre Dame will open regular season play next weekend at Mullett Arena for the 2025 Icebreaker Tournament against Arizona State. For Irish fans, the performance in Plymouth offered an early glimpse of a roster blending new talent, NHL-caliber skill and trademark Irish toughness.
