2008 – 09 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men 's ice hockey team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2008 – 09 NCAA Division I men 's ice hockey season . Their regular season began on October 11 , 2008 , against Denver and concluded on February 28 , 2009 , against Michigan State Spartans . Note Dame finished first in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and advanced to the 2009 CCHA Men 's Ice Hockey Tournament where they defeated Michigan 5 – 2 in the championship game . Notre Dame was given the top seed in Midwest Region and second seed overall for the 2009 NCAA Division I Men 's Ice Hockey Tournament . In the opening game of the tournament , the Fighting Irish lost 5 – 1 to Bemidji State . They played their home games at the Edmund P. Joyce Center , and were coached by Jeff Jackson . Notre Dame 's assistant coaches included Paul Pooley , Andy Slaggert , and Mike McNeill . Their athletic director was Jack Swarbrick . Games were broadcast over the radio on local ESPN Radio ( AM1580 ) , and were reported on by local newspaper the '' South Bend Tribune '' and Notre Dame 's student newspaper '' The Observer ''
2009 CCHA Men 's Ice Hockey Tournament
2009 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
2008–09 Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey season