Box Score BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — They have so many deep connections, so many distinct similarities, that it's hard to keep track of them all.
When the Wisconsin men's hockey team opened the second half of the season Friday night, facing Ohio State at the Kohl Center, someone should have brought a mirror.
The clubs have losing records and began the weekend in the second division of the Big Ten Conference, but also have had some tough luck. The Badgers had failed to win nine times when they were tied or leading in the third period, while OSU was 1-5 in one-goal games.
The teams came into the series each needing one hand to count their victories, but also in possession of the most eye-opening wins in the nation this season. Wisconsin went on the road and had its way with top-ranked North Dakota on Nov. 6. The Buckeyes closed out 2015 with back-to-back wins over third-ranked Boston College on Dec. 28 and ninth-rated Cornell on Dec. 29.
The squads are heavily tilted toward youngsters – the Badgers started 15 freshmen and sophomores in the series opener, while OSU had 10 – but coaches will tell you that any sense of youthful stage fright should be gone by now.
Speaking of which, Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves and his counterpart, Steve Rohlik, captained the Badgers to NCAA titles in 1977 and '90, respectively.
Rohlik's first-year assistant, Mark Strobel, is another former Wisconsin captain, while Eaves' first year assistant is JB Bittner, a former Ohio State captain.
Wisconsin legacies were found in both lineups. Freshman defenseman Jake Bunz (father Garry, 1984-'87) and sophomore winger Jason Ford (father Pat, 1984-'88) played for the Badgers, while freshman winger John Wiitala (father Marty, 1982-'86) played for OSU.
A major difference was that Wisconsin was at full strength for the first time in weeks and the Buckeyes were not as evidenced by their 11-forward lineup. Three top-six forwards from the Florida College Hockey Classic – center Dakota Joshua, winger Luke Stork and winger Miguel Fidler – were healthy scratches for reasons Rohlik kept to himself.
"Coaches' decision," he said.
That didn't factor into the outcome, though.
For the fourth time this season the Badgers (4-8-2 overall, 1-3-1 in the Big Ten) were deadlocked in the final period and lost.
This one was particularly galling because Wisconsin was unable to convert two great scoring chances in the second session and thus failed to generate the desired momentum for the second half.
"It's definitely not the way we wanted to start," senior co-captain and defenseman Kevin Schulze said. "We did some good things. Did some bad things as well. We just have to recoup."
Ohio State (6-11, 1-2) got goals from winger David Gust and center Tyler Lundey, who grew up in Middleton, to fortify the 26-save shutout by goaltender Christian Frey.
"There were some good scoring opportunities," freshman goaltender Matt Jurusik said after making 19 saves for the Badgers. "That's the area of the game where a goalie really makes a difference. Their kid made the saves and I didn't."
Funny, Frey didn't make a save on either of Wisconsin's best chances.
On the first, freshman center Seamus Malone passed from the right circle to an open Schulze at the backdoor, but OSU winger Kevin Miller got a piece of the puck and skittered just wide of the net.
"Whether that guy knew where the puck was or got lucky, it was a good play," Schulze said.
On the second, a shot from the slot area by freshmen center Will Johnson came agonizingly close to crossing the goal line before it was swept away by defenseman Drew Brevig. A video review showed that another inch might have made a difference.
"(If) we have a couple bounces go our way it's a different game, but that's how the game is, I guess," Schulze said.
"I thought we created good energy and didn't score," Eaves noted about the second period.
"The only thing I was disappointed in is it's a matter of making plays at the moment of truth. One thing I thought we could have done better is get more presence in front of the net, something we talked about (after the game)."
The second shutout loss of the season for the Badgers continued some challenging realities. They are 0-4-1 when tied after two periods this season and have been outscored 21-8 in the final 20 minutes entering the series finale Saturday night.
"It's just like a growing process," Jurusik said. "We have a lot of young guys that need to figure how to close games out.
"We're pretty close and once we figure that out, we'll be making a name for ourselves pretty soon."
The Badgers are anxious to create some energy at home given they play nine of their next 11 at the Kohl Center. All it takes is for one bounce to fall true and for the momentum to kick in.
"This year especially we've been in a lot of games where a couple bounces here or there, one way or the other, we have a different record," Schulze said.
"Sometimes the hockey gods don't want you to win, I guess."
