Notre Dame began its season not knowing its schedule for when 2021 rolled around. Through nine games, the Irish are 4-5-1 overall and 3-4-1 in Big Ten games, giving them 12 points and a third-place standing in the conference. They’ll take that record into the next part of the schedule, which was released Dec. 18.
Notre Dame will hit the ice again with a weekend home series Jan. 9 and 10 against Arizona State, every Big Ten team’s loan nonconference opponent this season. The Sun Devils’ entire season is taking place on the road against Big Ten programs. The Irish will take on every conference team during subsequent weekends until March 5 and 6 against Penn State.
After the regular season, the Big Ten Tournament will be held March 18 to 20. It’s back to the old-single elimination format from the tournament’s early days, and every team will qualify. The Irish are only four points behind Michigan State, so the second seed remains in reach. That’s about the best they can hope for as top-ranked and undefeated Minnesota has a firm grasp on the conference.