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Montreal Canadiens: The next leg in Jake Evan’s college career

By Omar L |
BRIDGEPORT, CT - MARCH 24: Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jake Evans (18) with the puck during a NCAA hockey game between Providence Friars and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 24, 2018, at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Notre Dame won 2-1 and moves on to the Frozen Four. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
BRIDGEPORT, CT - MARCH 24: Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Jake Evans (18) with the puck during a NCAA hockey game between Providence Friars and Notre Dame Fighting Irish on March 24, 2018, at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT. Notre Dame won 2-1 and moves on to the Frozen Four. (Photo by M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Tonight is the night Montreal Canadiens prospect Jake Evans and Notre Dame have been waiting for as they take on Michigan in the Frozen Four semi-finals.

After nearly two weeks of waiting, Jake Evans and the University of Notre Dame will be playing their semi-final game in the Frozen Four tonight. The Montreal Canadiens seventh-round pick has already had a memorable senior year with the Fighting Irish, but there is no desire to have it end anytime soon. It’s also a night of redemption for the entire team.

Notre Dame was in this position in last year’s Frozen Four tournament. Unfortunately, they lost in the worst possible way dropping a 6-1 decision to the University of Denver who went on to win the championship. The Fighting Irish must still have the same sour taste in their mouths from that disappointing finish and will come out strong against Michigan.

Evans is going into tonight leading the team in scoring with 11 goals and 31 assists tying his point total from last year in two fewer games. His growth as a player has been something all Montreal Canadiens fans have been tracking and he’s continuing to get recognized for it. The 21-year-old was awarded the 2018 Senior CLASS Award given to the player who excels both on and off the ice.

Again, this speaks to the impactful year Evans as had with the Fighting Irish

I think it is a testament to the culture our coaching staff has built here at Notre Dame, where our education and off the ice actions are all part of what it means to be a member of the Fighting Irish. Being pushed by my teammates daily also contributed to winning this award and I also have to credit my parents, who instilled the values that this award honors.

Notre Dame and Michigan have faced each other four times already in Big Ten matchups. The Fighting Irish split the season series winning only the first two games both in 2-1 decisions. However, Evans’ team has been the best in the conference going 17-6-1 to Michigan’s 11-10-3.

Next: Call Up a Prospect or Reward a Soldier?

Although the Montreal Canadiens have a game of their own tonight with draft lottery-level significance, you can bet the fan base will be paying attention and giving their full support to Notre Dame. It’s moments like these that further define a college career. Evans has taken several steps during his time in the NCAA, and now it’s time for one more leap.

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