After splitting their series with Ohio State (11-16-1), the No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers (18-10-2) will face No. 2 Michigan on home ice this weekend in one of their last chances to prove they deserve a spot in the NCAA Tournament.
Friday night ended in a 4-2 win for the Badgers. Wisconsin ended the first period with a 2-0 lead, scoring both goals within 15 seconds of each other. After a collision by the net in the second period, sophomore goaltender Eli Pulver replaced an injured Daniel Hauser. Forward Gavin Morrissey scored the game winning goal, securing the win for Wisconsin.
Wisconsin’s three-game winning streak came to end on Saturday in Columbus. Senior Simon Tassy put the Badgers on the board first after a power-play goal with less than 30 seconds left in the first period. The Badgers failed to capitalize with an extra skater on ice at the end of the third period, eventually resulting in a 3-2 loss.
Wisconsin now returns to the Kohl Center to face the Michigan Wolverines. The Badgers split their earlier series with the Wolverines at Yost Ice Arena, and in their last 10 matchups against Michigan, the Badgers hold a slight edge with a 6-3-1 record.
The Wolverines’ high-powered offense is one of the best in the country. Ranked No. 1 in power play-conversion and scoring offense and No. 2 in scoring margin and in short-handed goals scored, Michigan’s lethal offense drives their success, much of which comes from their ability to manage the puck and create turnovers into scoring chances.
Wolverine forward Will Horcoff is third in the nation in goals scored and leads Michigan with 21, nine of which were scored on the power-play. Forwards TJ Hughes and Michael Hage lead the Wolverines in points with 43 and 42 respectively.
As a team, the Wolverines average 4.70 goals per game and limit their opponents to 2.37 goals per game. They also average 34.47 shots per game and convert 30.6% of them into goals. The Badgers average 33.1 shots per game and convert 29.4% of them into goals for an average of 3.70 goals per game. They allow their opponents to score 3.1 goals per game.
Michigan also converts at a .306 rate on the man advantage, while limiting their opponents to a .214 conversion rate. Wisconsin ranks No. 4 in the nation with a .294 power-play conversion rate, while holding their opponents to a .265 mark.
In the net, freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic has been a wall for the Michigan defense with 618 saves and a .922 save percentage in 22 games played.
With freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser injured, sophomore Eli Pulver is likely to start in the net for Wisconsin this weekend. With both Logan Hensler and Zach Schulz injured, they are likely to remain out of the lineup for Wisconsin, putting heavy pressure on the remaining defensemen for the Badgers.
Known for their highly offensive playing style, the Badgers will need to play a disciplined and clean game to limit penalties and power play opportunities for the Wolverines. Limiting turnovers and keeping pressure in the offensive zone will be crucial.
Puck drops at the Kohl Center 7 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday.
