No. 12 Wisconsin lost in a 2-1 heartbreaker to No. 4 Denver on Saturday in the Frozen Four championship game in Las Vegas, as the Badgers’ incredible, roller-coaster season ended just short of their first national championship since 2006.
The Badgers scored first in a tight game and led throughout the first and second periods. But Denver stormed back in the third period, scoring two goals during the final 13 minutes to stun Wisconsin.
Third period collapse
Freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser was Wisconsin’s rock throughout the tournament. He managed to hold an average .924 save percentage in the games against Dartmouth, Michigan State and North Dakota, but his win streak broke with Saturday’s 2-1 loss.
Known for his smaller size as a goaltender, Johnny Hicks started in net for Denver. Hicks dominated in Denver’s wins against Cornell, Western Michigan and Michigan, and he showed that talent against Wisconsin.
The Badgers kept a clean game, knowing being short a skater would give Denver the upper hand. Their first penalty came from freshman forward Oliver Tulk 1:49 into the period after Tulk was called for tripping.
Sophomore forward Gavin Morrissey wanted a goal from puck drop. He made a name for himself early with a close short-handed shot, but Hicks read the play well.
Hauser stayed collected as the Badgers held the Pioneers to zero shots in their man-advantage.
Denver held possession of the puck after Tulk’s release, but Wisconsin still put shots on the Denver netminder. The Pioneers skated harder, and Cale Ashcroft was called for boarding against sophomore forward Ryan Botterill with 9:24 left in the period.
Wisconsin set up many chances in their only power play of the game. Denver blocked three shots, and Hicks made two saves before the man-advantage concluded.
Wisconsin kept pressure on, and it paid off with 6:24 remaining in the first period. Freshman forward Vasily Zelenov grabbed sophomore defenseman Weston Knox’s pass in the defensive zone and took the puck through the neutral zone. Between two Denver defenders, Zelenov ripped the puck over Hicks’ stick to put Wisconsin up 1-0.
The first period ended with Wisconsin in control, but Denver’s strong defensive display kept them within one.
The second period was a battle for the entire 20 minutes. Both teams played well on the defensive end, keeping Wisconsin’s lead steady.
The referees let the Badgers and Pioneers battle it out without a call as the game settled in. It slowed from bigger hits and quick rushes to slower plays and tight stick-handling — things Denver does well.
Hauser momentarily lost his stick in the final seconds of the second period and still shut down Denver attempts.
Wisconsin led in shots and seemed gassed heading into the third period. Despite skating hard and continuing to put the puck on Hicks, the Badgers couldn’t find another goal.
On a breakaway attempt 4:29 into the third period, senior forward Jack Horbach attempted to widen the gap, but Hicks gloved his shot with ease.
Denver found a weak spot when Garrett Brown’s one-timer bounced off Hauser’s pads before Rieger Lorenz shoved the puck just past a sprawling Hauser to tie the game 1-1 with 12:29 remaining in the game.
The Pioneers’ energy slowed Wisconsin, and the Badgers turned desperate as Denver’s second wind hit them hard. Their high shot attempts against the small netminder still couldn’t hit the back of the net.
Hauser lost his stick with 6 minutes to go. Denver kept the game on the opposite side of the ice as the lone stick sat too far for a Badger to grab it.
With 5:52 to go in the game, Kyle Chyzowski redirected Boston Buckberger’s slap shot from the blue line. Stickless and with his vision obscured by heavy traffic in front of the net, the screen against Hauser buried the Badgers 2-1.
Wisconsin felt the game slipping away from them and lasered the puck at Hicks. Their heavy pressure sent freshman forward Blake Montgomery to the box with 4:14 to go.
With eight seconds remaining on the penalty kill, Hauser made three blocks after an onslaught of Denver shots to hold onto the one-goal differential.
Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings pulled Hauser with 1:53 on the clock to send out the extra skater. Needing one goal, the Badgers fired on Hicks.
Hauser was back in net with less than 30 seconds left, as they took a faceoff in Wisconsin’s defensive zone. Hauser raced back to the bench as seconds ticked down, but the Badgers couldn’t set up a play before the final horn.
Wisconsin dominated Denver in shots, but the Pioneers were more accurate with a .133 shot percentage. Hicks made 29 saves on 30 shots, while Hauser gloved 13 of 15 shots — a .867 save percentage in his final game of the season.
While Wisconsin played well in the biggest game of their season, Denver, the more seasoned team, rejoiced in the end. The Pioneers, who have won three national championships in the last five years, are no strangers to the intensity of the Frozen Four.
The future is unknown for Wisconsin, but the year Badger freshman had this season is a glimpse into a possible return to the Frozen Four.
