Michigan State Routs Notre Dame Hockey 8-2 for Season Sweep

Spartans dominate short-handed Irish squad in regular season finale

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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In a lopsided affair, the top-ranked Michigan State Spartans defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 8-2 on Friday night to complete a season sweep. With starting goaltender Nick Kempf sidelined due to injury, Notre Dame turned to backup Luke Pearson, who struggled as Michigan State scored four unanswered goals in the second period to pull away. The loss drops Notre Dame to 6-22-4 on the season and 2-17-1 in Big Ten play, while Michigan State improves to 24-6-0 and 15-5-0 in conference.

Why it matters

This game highlighted the stark contrast between the dominant Spartans and the struggling Irish this season. Notre Dame's special teams woes, including allowing a short-handed goal, proved costly as they were unable to mount a comeback against the nation's top-ranked team. The lopsided defeat underscores the work Notre Dame has ahead to be competitive in the Big Ten next season.

The details

Michigan State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead on a power play goal by Porter Martone just 90 seconds into the game. Notre Dame responded with a power play goal of their own by Michael Mastrodomenico to tie it, but the Spartans took control in the second period. Ryker Lee and Tommi Mannisto scored power play and short-handed goals, respectively, to make it 4-1 Michigan State. Panayioti Fimis cut the deficit to two for Notre Dame, but the Spartans pulled away with four more goals in the final period for the 8-2 final.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • Michigan State scored the opening goal just 90 seconds into the first period.
  • Notre Dame's Michael Mastrodomenico scored a power play goal in the first period to tie the game 1-1.
  • Michigan State scored three unanswered goals in the second period to take a 4-1 lead.
  • Panayioti Fimis scored for Notre Dame in the third period to make it 4-2, but Michigan State added four more goals to win 8-2.

The players

Nick Kempf

The starting goaltender for Notre Dame who was sidelined due to an injury sustained in the previous game.

Luke Pearson

The graduate student who made his second career start in net for Notre Dame with Kempf out.

Porter Martone

The Michigan State player who scored the opening goal of the game just 90 seconds in.

Ryker Lee

The Michigan State player who scored the go-ahead goal in the second period to make it 2-1 Spartans.

Tommi Mannisto

The Michigan State player who scored a short-handed goal in the second period to extend the Spartans' lead to 4-1.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The Irish will look to rebound in their final home series of the season against Penn State on February 27 and 28.

The takeaway

This lopsided defeat highlights the significant gap between the dominant Spartans and the struggling Irish this season, as Notre Dame's special teams woes and inability to contain Michigan State proved costly. The Irish have a lot of work ahead to be competitive in the Big Ten next year.