Skating in their last series before a three week break, the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team picked up only one point this weekend against Minnesota State.
The Badgers (4-5-1 WCHA, 7-7-2 overall) talked this week about using this series as a springboard to move up in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings. But after a 3-1 loss Friday and a 1-1 tie Saturday, they failed to gain ground.
In the opener, UW struck a positive note by scoring only a minute after the puck dropped. Freshman Kyle Turris scored his seventh goal of the year after a Mavericks turnover, with an assist from junior Ben Street. But Minnesota State tied the game only 10 seconds later, as junior Mike Berge beat junior Badgers goalie Shane Connelly (27 saves).
Six minutes into the second period, the Mavericks broke the 1-1 tie just as a Wisconsin penalty kill was expiring. Sophomore Geoff Irwin scored to make it 2-1. Then, three minutes later, Minnesota State earned a true powerplay goal from freshman Rylan Galiardi, putting the Mavericks up 3-1.
The power play continued to be a sore spot on Friday night, as the Badgers went 0-5, including missed opportunities with two 5-on-3 advantages.
On Saturday, the Mavericks scored first, less than four minutes into the game. Senior Joel Hanson was credited with a goal that deflected off Badger sophomore Jamie McBain. That was the only score of the first period, as Connelly - 30 saves - made several big saves to keep it close.
After missing chances to tie the game in the second period, the Badgers broke an 0-18 slide on the power play when McBain scored his second goal of the year, with assists from Turris and Street. That goal put an end to the Mavericks' penalty-killing streak of 29.
To be certain, UW had chances to come home with a win Saturday. It had a 5-on-3 advantage late in the third period and a power play in overtime, but could not convert.
The Badgers, who will next play in the annual Badger Hockey Showdown in late December at the Kohl Center, spoke last week about this series as a springboard to improve in the WCHA.
After taking only one of four points, however, the Badgers remain in the lower half of the league standings, with their next two WCHA series against the first and second-place teams: the Colorado College Tigers and the Denver Pioneers.
