MINNEAPOLIS—Going into a hostile environment like Mariucci Arena is never an easy task for any team. The building was at playoff-type intensity for most of the weekend's action, but a young Wisconsin team proved to be undaunted, taking three points from the Gophers in their own barn.
Led by a strong showing from their younger players, Wisconsin won in convincing fashion Friday by a score of 6-0 before coming away with a hard-fought 3-3 tie in Saturday's series finale.
In Friday's series opener the Badgers came with their A game and took advantage of a Minnesota team that didn't look ready to play.
Freshman forward Michael Mersch opened the scoring for the Badgers just before the first intermission after collecting his own rebound for the third time and putting the puck over the left shoulder of Minnesota goaltender Alex Kangas. That goal opened the floodgates.
Sophomore forward Derek Lee started a second period scoring barrage after freshman Mark Zengerle found him in front of the net with a pass from behind the goal. Junior forward Jordy Murray followed that with a goal on a similar play with sophomore forward Craig Smith. Mersch added his second goal of the game and Zengerle also scored to wrap up the second period for the Badgers.
In the third period, freshman forward Tyler Barnes added a goal on a nice wraparound to close out the scoring for the Badgers.
Senior goaltender Scott Gudmanson turned away 24 shots for his second shutout of the season.
Wisconsin's freshmen were a key part of the game, scoring four goals as well as adding four assists in the 6-0 victory.
""They are a big part of our team and they put up big numbers tonight,"" UW head coach Mike Eaves said of his freshmen. ""If they continue to play like that we have a chance to be successful.""
On Saturday, it was the Gophers who came out playing inspired hockey.
Minnesota junior forward Taylor Matson scored on a 2-on-1 for Minnesota, coming down the left side and sniping the top right corner for the game's first goal.
Minnesota extended the lead to two when senior Jacob Cepis tallied a power-play goal.
Down two goals, Wisconsin responded.
After an outlet pass from senior goaltender Brett Bennett, Zengerle found sophomore defender Justin Schultz at the point to put it past Gopher goaltender Kent Patterson and cut the Minnesota lead in half.
The Badgers would tie the game in the second period when Jordy Murray tapped the puck in on the right post.
However, Minnesota regained the lead, again on the power play, when senior defenseman Cade Fairchild found senior forward Jay Barriball at the point. Barriball beat a screened Bennett for the 3-2 Minnesota lead.
Again, the Badgers found an answer.
After a grueling, physical third period, the Badgers would again battle back to tie the game with about two minutes left in regulation when Murray was able to poke the puck from under Patterson's pads after a scramble in front of the goal.
Despite a flurry of Wisconsin chances in the overtime period, the game would end in a 3-3 tie.
""To come into this building and take three our of four points, and tonight, battle back twice from being down, really shows a lot of heart out of this group,"" Eaves said.
