Fighting Irish Hockey come out Firing in the first period

The Notre Dame Hockey team played their first exhibition game of the season tonight. The Irish took on the USA Hockey National Team Development Program. Notre Dame has played the USANDTP 12 previous times, with 6 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties. The Irish defeated Team USA 5-2 in their game last October 3, 2025.

First Period highlights:

In less than 5 minutes played, #8 Will Belle (assisted by Beckham Edwards and Jaedon Kerr) got the puck past Nate Chizik, a Notre Dame Hockey commit.

USA Hockey’s Sam Pandolfo got the puck past Nicholas Kempf at 9:25, but in just under 5 minutes later, Notre Dame’s Evan Werner got the unassisted equalizer.

With just under two minutes to play in the first period, #34 Sammy Nelson (FR) got his first collegiate goal (with the assist by Paul Fischer), and the Irish took a 3-1 lead.

The final Irish goal of the first period was #8 Will Belle’s second of the night (assists by Henry Nelson and Pano Fimis).