On Friday, the Fighting Irish will host the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines at 7 p.m. and will also play Saturday at 6 p.m in Compton Family Ice Arena. The series marks the start of Big 10 conference play for both teams, and tensions are high for the biggest rivalry in Irish hockey.
The Irish hosted Robert Morris this past wee, recording a 6-3 win Friday night and a 2-2 tie on Saturday. Graduate student forward Sutter Muzzatti provided a great offensive effort for the Irish, recording two goals and two assists in Friday’s win and a goal in Saturday’s tie. Muzzatti is the leading scorer for the Irish, with six goals, three assists and nine points so far this season.
The Wolverines also played Robert Morris this year, beating the Colonials 4-2 and 10-2. Robert Morris is the only opponent both teams have played this season.
Michigan won its first seven games, including a 4-0 defeat of No. 3 Western Michigan, the defending national champions. The Broncos got revenge on the Wolverines with a 5-2 victory last Friday.
Michigan is one of three ranked teams that hold a 7-1-0 record. Playing in the Big 10, arguably the toughest conference for collegiate hockey, both schools consistently produce exceptional players who make it to the NHL. This season is no different. The Wolverines currently have 13 players who have been selected in the NHL Draft, compared to Notre Dame’s six.
The Wolverines’ season is off to a powerful start, and their success is due in part to a notable defense. Before its most recent loss to Western Michigan, Michigan held all opponents to two or less goals. Freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic has been a strong presence in the net, only allowing 12 goals, one on an empty net. In the 2025 NHL Draft, Ivankovic was selected in the second round with the 58th pick by the Nashville Predators. With a .937 save percentage, he is a lethal force to beat.
Although its defense is Michigan’s greatest strength, the Wolverine offense is certainly up to par. They have recorded more than 10 goals in a game twice this season:10 against Robert Morris and 11 against Mercyhurst. Their offensive style is brutal, especially in picking off defensemen and closing in on the net.
Notre Dame is having one of their better seasons in recent history under the helm of Coach Brock Sheahan, who specializes in a detail-oriented style of play. Apart from an 8-2 win against St. Lawrence, the Irish are very low-scoring. When they do score, they make tactical shots, often from a distance that is difficult for defensemen and goaltenders to stop. The Irish have proven they are unafraid to shoot, but they must make smart shots if they are to be successful against Michigan.
Apart from Muzzatti, the Wolverine defense will be sure to try and limit senior defenseman Axel Kumlin in the offensive zone. Kumlin has vital playmaking skills, with one goal so far this season and six assists.
Notre Dame has embraced their home-ice advantage, with a current record of 3-0-1 when playing at home. The Irish will be sure to utilize every opportunity they have to maximize their play against the Wolverines, and the team’s success will be dependent on limiting penalties and scoring as much as possible on power plays. The Irish must minimize penalties, especially against a Michigan defense that is not afraid to poke around and frustrate their opponents.
Notre Dame and Michigan are longtime rivals across multiple sports. Both schools have a big hockey culture, and tickets for Friday and Saturday’s games are almost sold out as both schools prepare to battle in South Bend this weekend.