Box Score Nov. 7, 2009
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MADISON, Wis.--Wisconsin men's hockey (4-3-1, 2-3-1 WCHA) fell 5-2 to Minnesota (3-4-1, 3-4-1 WCHA) in its bid for a sweep on Saturday night in the Kohl Center. Though they outshot the Gophers 47-28, the Badgers just could not seem to find the net.
The Gophers returned the favor from last night's game by scoring in the wee-minutes of the game. Minnesota jumped out to a 1-0 advantage after a goal by senior Tony Lucia just 1:13 into the first period.
The Gophers scored again, this time by freshman Zach Budish. The goal came at the 13:07 mark of the first and put Minnesota up 2-0 early in the game.
Though UW outshot the Gophers 17-6, the Badgers were not able to find the net in the first. Heading into the second period, the Badgers trailed the Gophers, 0-2.
After a scoreless first 15 minutes of the second period, the Gophers added another goal when junior Patrick White found the net for the Gophers. The goal came at the 15:38 mark of the second, and put Minnesota up 3-0. Having outshot Minnesota 32-16 through two periods, the Badgers couldn't seem to find the net, though their opportunities were there.
It only took the Badgers 28 seconds of the third period to register their first goal of the contest. The goal came on a wrist shot by sophomore defenseman Jake Gardiner (Minnetonka, Minn.) past a screen set by senior tri-captain Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn.). The primary assist went to freshman forward Craig Smith, his third of the series. The secondary assist was credited to Geoffrion, who won the faceoff prior to the goal. This was Gardiner's first goal of the season.
The Gophers added to their lead right around the halfway point of the final period. The goal was scored on a wrist shot by senior Brian Schack through a screen at the 11:29 mark. This put Minnesota at a 4-1 advantage.
The Badgers inched their way closer after a crazy goal by junior tri-captain Ryan McDonagh (Arden Hills, Minn.). After a shot by senior forward Andy Bohmbach (Hudson, Wis.) ricocheted off Minnesota goaltender Alex Kangas, former Minnesota state high school baseball champion McDonagh was there to bat the puck out of the air and into the net for his first goal of the season. The play was under review to check for high-sticking, but the goal was upheld. Bohmbach and Craig Smith were credited with the two assists. The score was now 4-2 in favor of the maroon and gold.
The Gophers scored once more on an unassisted, empty net goal by Zach Budish, his second of the game. The goal came at the 1:01 mark of the third period. This solidified Minnesota's win, 5-2.
It just seemed to be one of those nights that nothing the Badgers shot would go in. With the Badgers pushing to close the gap with the score still at 4-2, senior forward Ben Grotting (Birmingham, Ala.) saw his shot ping off the post to exemplify the night for Wisconsin.
Junior goaltender Brett Bennett (Williamsville, N.Y.) notched 23 saves in the contest, but saw his record fall to 3-2-0 on the season. Gopher goaltender Alex Kangas' record climbed to 3-3-0 on the year with 45 saves.
The Badgers get right back into action next weekend, as they play a two-game home series against the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. The Friday-Saturday series at the Kohl Center is scheduled for 7 p.m. both nights.
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Brady Hartung, UW Athletic Communications
