The No. 7 Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey (7-1-2, 3-1-0 Big Ten) split a two-game series with the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (10-2-0, 3-1-0 Big Ten) this weekend in Ann Arbor, handing the Badgers their first loss of the season.
First loss
Michigan beat Wisconsin a 7-4 loss on Friday. Despite struggling to hold leads, Michigan eventually took down the Badgers by the end of the game.
Wisconsin’s first power play came from an interference call three minutes into the game. Freshman starting goaltender Daniel Hauser immediately had to make a save after a Michigan defender tore through the Badgers’ power play unit.
The Badgers had a lackluster powerplay that ended with two shots by both teams. Soon after, Michigan opened the scoring at 7:50 in the first, with a goal past Hauser.
Senior forward Jack Horbach sat two minutes for holding late in the first, but the Badger’s penalty kill held them off as Wisconsin went into the second period down one.
Horbach’s penalty ended 38 seconds into the second, and freshman forward Oliver Tulk snuck the puck in two minutes later, shooting from the top right of the offensive zone through traffic.
Wisconsin took a 2-1 lead minutes later after sophomore forward Gavin Morrissey skated up the ice on a 2-on-2 to rip one into the top left of the net. Freshman defenseman Luke Osburn sat two minutes for interference, and Wisconsin dominated the penalty kill, taking five shots on the disadvantage.
Michigan evened the score at 2-2 halfway through the third after Hauser skated behind the net and left it wide open. The Wolverines took the lead four minutes later after a fumbling defensive play by the Badgers.
Michigan was assessed a two-minute minor for goalkeeper interference, but Wisconsin couldn’t equalize.
The Badgers dominated early in the third period and finally tied the game at 9:57 on the man-advantage for a Michigan hooking. Senior forward Christian Fitzgerald tipped in the tying goal for the Badgers.
Wisconsin took the lead a minute later when sophomore Ryan Botterill knocked in a rebounded puck after falling to his knees in front of the net.
The 4-3 lead didn’t last, as Michigan tied it up at 11:18. Fitzgerald sat two minutes for hooking seconds later, and Wisconsin fell apart during the penalty kill, letting Hauser face seven shots during the minor penalty.
The Wolverines took the lead at 16:16 in the third period, and Wisconsin pulled Hauser with two minutes to go. Two empty netters and a series of match-penalites buried the Badgers to end the game.
Hauser had one of his worst games this season, as he faced 26 shots and had 5 goals against. His save percentage on Friday was .839. Hauser’s current worst game statistically was against Alaska Fairbanks where his save percentage was .833.
Bouncing back on the power play
The Badgers came out with an energy on Saturday that wasn’t there the night before, taking the game 6-1.
Wisconsin went on the power play seven minutes into the game, and senior defenseman Ben Dexheimer took advantage of it. Scoring his first of the season, Dexheimer walked down from the top corner to between the circles and wristed one in.
Freshman forward Grady Deering sat two minutes for holding, but Wisconsin’s penalty kill held Michigan off. Back on the power play with seven minutes to go, Morrissey notched his second of the series off a one-timer from Dexheimer.
Tulk sat two minutes for interference, and Michigan sat two minutes for hooking. Neither team scored on the 4-on-4 play as Wisconsin held onto their 2-0 lead going into the second period.
Freshman forward Blake Montgomery sniped in Wisconsin’s third of the game early in the second. Skating across the offensive zone, Montgomery rocketed one into the top right corner.
A scuffle at 15:30 sent Hauser down to the ice after a Michigan player was shoved into the goalie and his net. Hauser took a while to stand after the elbow to his face, and the play was reviewed for a major.
Wisconsin then went on a two-minute minor powerplay. Despite having their top power play unit on the ice, it was worked-over by Michigan, and the Wolverines scored their first of the game short handed.
Determined to retaliate, senior defenseman Aiden Dubinsky regained the three-goal lead for Wisconsin and grabbed his first of the season.
Michigan thought they scored their second goal of the game, but it was immediately called off for goaltender interference. Michigan challenged the call due to junior defenseman Zach Schulz’ stick blocking the Michigan forward, but the call stood.
After Horbach was checked into the boards, a Michigan forward shoved him back down to the ice by the numbers. Hensler went and dropped the Michigan forward, ripping his helmet off in the process.
Michigan’s Garrett Schifsky was assessed a five minute major and a game misconduct for grasping-of-the-facemask, as well as a two-minute minor for roughing alongside Hensler. Wisconsin went on the five-minute powerplay.
Fitzgerald beat the Wolverine's goalie on his blocker side on a breakaway to bring the lead up 5-1. Dexheimer had to sit two minutes for tripping, setting up a short 4-on-4 play to start the third before Michigan got a 35 second power play.
After slower play, sophomore forward Adam Pietela brought the lead up to 6-1 with a one-timer off a pass from the boards.
Chaos stuck with 10 minutes left to go, as freshman forward Grady Deering fell on Michigan’s goaltender leading to multiple tussles on the ice. With tensions high, Michigan attempted to defend their goalie and blasted Deering into the glass.
Two minors for roughing were assessed to Wisconsin, while two roughing minors and a charging minor were assessed to Michigan, putting Wisconsin on the power play.
The game slowed back down until 15 seconds to go, when Deering drilled Michigan’s goaltender and punches were thrown. Every player on the ice was assessed two minutes for roughing after the whistle and 10 minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Michigan went on the powerplay as Deering skated off the ice and into the locker room to end the game.
Next, Wisconsin plays Ohio State at 7 p.m. Friday at the Kohl Center.
