The Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey team posted a win and tie this weekend on the road against Alaska-Anchorage, the lowest ranked team in the conference. With a three-point gain in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings, the results set up an intriguing matchup this weekend against rival Minnesota.
A series against the Seawolves may have been exactly what the Badgers needed, as the young group has been unable to establish any real momentum this season.
The Badgers (6-8-2 WCHA, 10-10-4 overall) are now unbeaten in their last three games, dating back to their first road win in Denver Jan. 12. The Badgers have not gone without a loss in four straight games all season.
On Friday, the Badgers never trailed en route to a 2-1 victory at Sullivan Arena. Nearly 14 minutes into the first period, sophomore forward John Mitchell scored a shot from the slot, notching his fifth goal of the season.
Alaska-Anchorage tied the game early in the third period on a one-timer by sophomore Josh Lunden past UW’s junior goalie Shane Connelly. The shot was the only one to get past Connelly, who had 27 saves to earn his ninth victory.
With 6:15 remaining in the game, senior Matthew Ford scored the game-winner, his seventh goal of the year, assuring the Badgers at least a split series.
On Saturday, the Badgers took advantage of the power play in a come-from-behind 4-4 draw. Three of Wisconsin’s four scores came when they outmanned the Seawolves on the ice.
Alaska-Anchorage took an early 2-0 lead in a frenetic first period, scoring both on the power play. But the Badgers battled back to tie the game on their own power plays, with goals from sophomore forwards Michael Davies and Blake Geoffrion.
Just before the first period ended, the Seawolves took the lead. Again, they pushed the lead to two in the second period, scoring on a 5-on-3 advantage.
Still, the Badgers refused to go away.
In the third period, junior Ben Street put away a rebound for his tenth goal of the season, and late in the period, Davies scored yet again, giving him seven goals this year. The overtime session produced no goals, giving the Badgers a hard-earned point and setting up a three-way tie for fifth place in the league standings with Minnesota and St. Cloud State.
“All in all, a very successful weekend,” Badgers head coach Mike Eaves said at this Monday press conference.
-uwbadgers.com contributed to this report.
