Wisconsin Falls to Michigan 4-3
November 24, 2006 | Men's Hockey
The Badgers opened up the 2006 College Hockey Showcase losing 4-3 to No. 7 Michigan. The College Hockey Showcase pits the WCHA conference against the CCHA annually as Michigan and Michigan State take on Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The Badgers (4-9-2, 3-7-1 WCHA) dropped their sixth straight game after a 3-2 lead heading into the third period. Michael Davies (Chesterfield, Mo.), Jack Skille (Madison, Wis.) and Matthew Ford (West Hills, Calif.) all scored for the Badgers.
Wisconsin jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first frame as Davies scored at the 9:57 mark and Skille notched his second of the season on a short-handed one-on-zero fast break at the 17:25 mark. Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn.) and Kyle Klubertanz (Sun Prairie, Wis.) earned assists on the Davies goal, while Skille scored his all alone.
Michigan (11-3-0) answered in the second period scoring the next two goals. Tim Miller scored just 1:19 into the period and T.J. Hensick notched his sixth of the season on a Wolverine power play halfway through the second.
Less than three minutes after Michigan tied the game 2-2, Ford regained the lead for the Badgers on an even strength goal off assists from Davies and Klubertanz.
UM's David Rohlfs was able to tie the game 3-3 at the 8:25 mark of the third as he scored on a two-on-one fast break with the help of T.J. Hensick. Only 27 seconds later, Andrew Cogliano scored the Wolverine's fourth goal, which turned out to be the game-winner.
UW head coach Mike Eaves took a timeout with 1:03 left to play and pulled goalie Brian Elliott (Newmarket, Ontario) out of goal with 23 seconds left adding an extra attacker. The Badgers were unable to score a tying goal even with a couple shots on goal in the waning seconds.
Elliot finished the night with 30 saves, while Michigan's Billy Sauer recorded 34. Wisconsin was 0-for-5 on the power play, but scored a short-handed goal, while Michigan ended the night 1-for-6. The Badgers out shot the Wolverines 37-34 overall, including 13-9 on the power play.
The men's team will be in action again Saturday night wrapping up the College Hockey Showcase as they welcome Michigan State to the Kohl Center. The puck is set to drop at 7 p.m.
