Many thanks to the numerous members of the Notre Dame, Saint Mary's and Holy Cross community that have attended Fighting Irish Hockey games this season and otherwise enjoyed the Compton Family Ice Arena since it opened in October. Looking up to see 5,000 people in the stands at most games has just been tremendous. Your vocal support on so many occasions has served as a real boost to our team's performance in the new arena and we need that enthusiasm to continue to create a true home ice advantage this year and in the future.
Five challenging home games remain in the 2011-12 regular season for your Irish and each will be critical to our overall success. This weekend when we play Bowling Green, we will also celebrate the legacy of Lefty Smith, for whom our new rink is named. Lefty's immediate family and extended family (many members of his teams) will be on campus for both games. What better way to honor them and Lefty than with a jam-packed, raucous student section at Compton both nights? Ferris State comes in the following Friday night (they are currently in first place in the CCHA) and earning those conference points will be critical. Will you help us do so? Lastly, Michigan State will come here at the end of February looking to spoil the class of 2012's last two home games of the regular season. Will you have a say in that?
Your Irish icers are preparing to "bring it" the rest of the way. How about you?
Go Irish!
Jeff Jackson
head coach
Notre Dame Hockey Team
Jan. 30
