The UW men's hockey team (8-0-2 WCHA, 9-1-2 overall) came into the weekend redhot with an eight-game unbeaten streak and was heavily favored over Minnesota State-Mankato (2-6-2, 2-8-2).
The Badgers let the Mavericks keep both games close, but were able to earn the sweep 2-1 Saturday night and 3-2 Sunday and retain first place in the WCHA league standings.
'We won both games, and I think that says a lot about us, that even when we're not playing our best hockey we're still finding ways to win,' junior forward Jake Dowell said.
With both of his usual linemates out of the lineup Friday night, sophomore forward Joe Pavelski stole the show. His two goals in the first period were enough to carry the Badgers to a 2-1 victory.
Pavelski's usual linemates'junior forward Robbie Earl and senior forward Adam Burish'both sat out the game with suspensions. Burish was suspended by the league for a hit in last Saturday's game against Colorado College, and Earl was suspended by Eaves for being late to a team practice.
Pavelski's second goal came at the end of the first period, when he tried to pass the puck in front of the net, but his pass deflected off an MSU-Mankato defender's shin pad and into the net.
Badger goalie Brian Elliot was on his way to a shutout when sophomore forward Joel Hanson put a rebound past Elliot to cut the deficit in half. The Mavericks could not muster another goal, though, despite outshooting the Badgers in both the second and third periods.
Sophomore forward Matt Ford got the scoring started Sunday night with his second goal of the season. Ford took the puck from a MSU-Mankato defenseman and fired a bad angle shot that found its way under the arm of Tormey and into the net.
'The goal [Ford] scored was the result of his heavy shot; it hit the goaltender, but because of its velocity and spin it just kept going and went into the net,' Head Coach Mike Eaves said.
Mankato junior forward David Backes tied the game with a power play goal three minutes into the second period. Backes took a pass from junior center Travis Morin and fired a backhand past Elliot's blocker.
Freshman forward Ben Street notched his fourth goal of the season with a backhand over the glove-side shoulder of Tormey.
Street had just skated onto the ice as an extra attacker on a delayed penalty when Pavelski spun around on his knees and put a no-look pass right on Street's stick. Tom Gilbert had the second assist on the play.
'[Pavelski] has a gift. He found me with that no-look pass, and I was in all alone on the goalie,' Street said.
Junior forward Jake Dowell extended the lead to two goals in the third period with his first goal of the season. A missed shot from senior forward Ryan MacMurchy found its way onto Dowell's stick backdoor and Dowell slammed it home.
Maverick junior defenseman Kyle Peto cut the lead to one when he pushed a loose puck into the Badger goal.
Elliot made the initial save but misplayed the puck as junior defenseman Jeff Likens fell down in the crease along with MSU sophomore forward Joel Hanson. Peto came into the play late and was the last Maverick to get a stick on the puck before it found its way into the net through the melee in front.
