It goes without saying that Matt McNeely is really starting to like the joint.

The University of Minnesota Duluth goaltender got his first collegiate start at the Compton Family Ice Arena two years ago and came away with a 3-1 victory over the University of Notre Dame.  Sunday afternoon, McNeely was back there again and this time the result was even more impressive as he turned aside all 23 shots the No. 12-ranked Irish sent his way to preserve a 3-0 triumph in the third place game of the Ice Breaker Tournament. It was the second career shut out for McNeely, who was making his first appearance Feb. 22, 2014 and also was credited with his first collegiate assist.

Junior center Tony Cameranesi gave the Bulldogs (1-1-0 overall) the only goal they would need 7:40 into the first period when he whacked in a loose puck off a scrum in front of the Irish goal. At 6:42 of the second, junior left winger Alex iafallo tacked on another power play score, lifting a backhand over the shoulder of Notre Dame rookie goaltender Cal Peterson, before Dominic Toninato added some insurance with his third goal of the tournament with 36 seconds to go before the second intermission. Toninato, who figured in on four of UMD's six goals over the weekend, was the lone Bulldog chosen to the six-member Ice Breaker All-Tournament Team (that was announced before the third place game).  Both Toninato and Iafallo had two-point outings Sunday and finished a +1.

UMD connected on two of its eight power play chances and was 6-for-6 on the penalty kill. Notre Dame (0-2-0), was outshot 29-23 and which didn't put its first puck on net until after the midway point of the first period.

The Bulldogs will make their 2014-15 regular season AMSOIL Arena debut this Friday night (Oct. 17) by hosting former Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival Minnesota State University-Mankato. That home-and-home series shifts to Mankato Saturday night.