MINNEAPOLIS – Spurred by a Friday night loss, the No. 12/14 Wisconsin men's hockey team came back twice to topple No. 7 Minnesota (10-7-1, 4-5-1-1 Big Ten) on Saturday night, 3-2, at Mariucci Arena.

The Badgers (10-7-2, 4-3-1-0 Big Ten) overcame two one-goal deficits and eventually broke a tie late in the third period to take the series finale.

Minnesota struck first blood on a power play at the 3:01 mark of the first period, but junior Matthew Freytag tied the game at 1-1 in the frame at the 12:25 mark when he one-timed a pass from sophomore Trent Frederic past UM goalie Eric Schierhorn.

Sophomore Jack Berry was tested again late in the first when Minnesota's Jack Ramsey was awarded a penalty shot after being slashed by Freytag. Ramsey skated to his left and shot high, but Berry snatched it out of the air to preserve the tie.

The tie held just 2:26 into the second period before Minnesota reclaimed the lead on a Jack Sadek score.

Junior Seamus Malone knotted the game back up at 8:46, catching a pass from junior Will Johnson before toe-dragging past two defenders and slipping the puck past Schierhorn.

Wisconsin finally broke through to take a lead midway through the last period when senior Jake Linhart showed incredible patience, stickhandling deep in the Gopher zone before centering the puck. The shot redirected off of Frederic's shin pad and into the net, securing the Wisconsin win.

The Badger defense held strong in the final minutes of play when UM went on a power play, blocking numerous shots while Berry made several impressive saves. Berry ended the night with 40 saves, improving to 3-1-0 on the season.
 
Notes to Know
-Minnesota outshot Wisconsin 42-32 and outblocked the Badgers 15-11
-The Gophers won the special teams battle as well, going 1-for-3 while the Badgers were held scoreless on all five power plays.
-Trent Frederic extended his point streak against Minnesota to six games, tallying five goals and two assists in the series.
 
Straight From the Rink
Head Coach Tony Granato
On the third period
"The third period was like the third period last year when we were here and won the game. Some blocked shots, big saves. We had five or six great chances ourselves, obviously we were able to capitalize throwing one to the net which was good.

"I think this is what it should have been, a split. Last night's game we could have walked out of here with a win, tonight they might have been able to walk out with a win. Two great teams that battled like crazy. I think that the energy from both teams tonight was a little bit draining from the emotion and the energy spent last night, but I thought it was a battle."

On Jack Berry
"We knew, with what he did for us last year, what he would give us this year. Last year he was a very confident, relaxed, he worked hard. Tonight he was, even when things got crazy tonight in front of our net. That's his demeanor."

On Peter Tischke's play
"He's a warrior, he's a player that you're going to watch play for a long time in the NHL when he gets done here. I hope he gets back here for one more year.

"He'll find an NHL franchise that will look at that guy and say, 'we've got to get him.' He's going to have opportunities for sure, but what you see out of him is what you get. He doesn't shot-change you with effort, he doesn't short-change you with courage. He's what hockey players are supposed to be and he keeps gaining confidence and his determination to do everything he can to keep the puck out of the net, you saw it again here tonight."
 
Sophomore Jack Berry
On the game
"It felt great, to be in Minnesota, there's nothing better than that really. We came in here to get six points but three will work."

On blocked shots
"I think the D corps played a tremendous game, that last minute I think I had no idea where the puck was and the D are out there blocking shots, putting their body on the line there. Tischke and Linhart both at the end there, that was fantastic."
 
Junior Peter Tischke
On the last minute of play
"Just keep the puck out, block every shot that we can, if we get a chance clear it. I think I only got those two (off his glove and off his back), I know Berry got a bunch of them, that was huge and Ess for sure got some. Just a good overall effort with those few minutes left."

On play around the net
"We focused on that a lot today, I think the D and forwards both did a great job of taking bodies, getting sticks out of the way and letting Jack see as many pucks as he could."
 
Sophomore Trent Frederic
On his goal
"(It hit me) on the shin pad. I'll take it though. It's funny, you get shots and shots and think some should go in. Then you have one go off your shin pad and go through the goalie's five-hole. It's a weird game we play."
 
Up Next
Wisconsin closes out 2017 with a home series against Notre Dame, Dec. 8-9.