Badgers Swept by No. 10 Gophers
December 07, 2002 | Men's Hockey
Minnesota defender Matt DeMarchi scored with less than five minutes left in the third period to defeat the Badgers 3-2 at the Kohl Center. This is the sixth loss on home ice for the Badgers and this losing string is the longest one in the modern era of Badger hockey. Wisconsin falls to 5-11-0 overall, 1-7-0 WCHA, while Minnesota improves to 9-4-4, 6-2-2.
DeMarchi ripped a shot over Wisconsin goaltender Bernd Bruckler 's (Graz, Austria) shoulder after the end of a Gopher power play. The Badgers pulled Bruckler with a minute to go for the extra attacker, but could not get the opportunity to score.
Badger forward Rene Bourque (Lac La Biche, Alberta) had tied the game at 2-2 with 7:05 remaining with a power play, his team-leading seventh goal of the season. Bourque took a pass from Alex Leavitt (Edmonton, Alberta), skated behind the net and wrapped it around and it trickled through Minnesota goalie Travis Weber.
Despite the loss, Bruckler put in a solid effort for the Badgers, stopping 40 Minnesota shots, including 14 in the final period. Wisconsin was outshot 43-17 by the Gophers on the night.
Badger freshman Ryan MacMurchy (Regina, Sask.) opened the scoring for the game just over a minute into the second period when he scored on his own rebound, sliding the puck under Weber. The lead was short-lived, however, when less than three minutes later Jake Fleming tied the game at 1-1 when he also scored off his own shot in front of Bruckler.
Minnesota took a 2-1 lead with nine minutes to go in the second period when Thomas Vanek's pass attempt went off the skate of a Badger and past Bruckler for a power play tally.
The Badgers have now gone eight straight games scoring two or less goals. During that stretch, Badger opponents have outscored Bucky 22-9. Wisconsin scored only its second power play goal since November 15 and its second in league play.
Wisconsin will face off against Team Italy in an exhibition game this Thursday night. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
