Brock Caufield against Team USA (Cole Caufield)
Greg Anderson
6
Winner US Under-18 Team USA 24-10-1, 10-7-0 NCAA
2
Wisconsin UW 8-9-3, 4-3-3-1 B1G
Winner
US Under-18 Team USA
24-10-1, 10-7-0 NCAA
6
Final
2
Wisconsin UW
8-9-3, 4-3-3-1 B1G
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 F
US Under-18 Team USA 2 3 1 6
Wisconsin UW 1 1 0 2

Game Recap: Men's Hockey |

Wisconsin falls, 6-2, in final exhibition game of the season

Future Badgers Caufield, Turcotte shine for U.S. Under-18 Team

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin men's hockey team fell to the U.S. Under-18 Team, 6-2, in its final exhibition game of the season on Saturday night at the Kohl Center.

UW freshman forward Dominick Mersch and senior defenseman Jake Bunz each scored game-tying goals to keep the score even early in the second period, but Team USA's Matthew Boldy scored a power-play goal at the 14:14 mark of the middle frame to regain the lead for the Stars and Stripes.

Boldy's tally kick-started a four-goal scoring run for Team USA, ending in a decisive 6-2 victory over the Badgers.

Future Badgers Cole Caufield and Alex Turcotte combined for half of Team USA's goals, and Owen Lindmark was 8-for-12 on faceoffs.

All three of UW's goaltenders saw time in the net for the Badgers. Freshman Daniel Lebedeff made nine saves, while juniors Jack Berry and Johan Blomquist recorded nine and 12 saves, respectively.

Notes to Know:
  • Senior rear guard Jake Bunz scored his first goal in a Wisconsin jersey.
  • Scoring two goals in tonight, incoming freshman Cole Caufield tied Patrick Kane for second on the NTDP's all-time goal-scoring list with 84 goals.
  • Badger signees combined for three goals and five points for Team USA.
Straight from the Rink
Head Coach Tony Granato
On defensive difficulties:
"I didn't think our defense was at its best tonight. They made some mistakes that they normally don't make when we are playing normal shifts. We just didn't get into the flow of the game tonight."
 
On the road ahead:
"We wanted to work on some things tonight to be more consistent; things that we will need to be in Big Ten play starting next week against Notre Dame. With the results this weekend, you can see that the Big Ten is wide open. When you go into a stretch like this – when it's all Big Ten games the rest of the time – you like to feel good, like you are at the top of your game. So we'll have to refocus on Monday and try and get back on track, because this is a big weekend coming up against Notre Dame."

Senior defenseman Jake Bunz
On scoring first career goal:
"It was fun. I had a bunch of family and friends here, so it was cool to score in front of them."
 
Freshman forward Brock Caufield
On playing future teammates Caufield, Turcotte and Lindmark:
"They are very skilled players. It's definitely cool to play against them. They played a good game and I'm really excited get with those guys next year."
 
Up Next: The Badgers return to Big Ten play next weekend with a series against No. 9 Notre Dame. Friday's game is set for an 8 p.m. (CT) start at the Kohl Center, while Sunday's contest against the Fighting Irish is slated for a 6:30 p.m. (CT) puck drop at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 





 
Print Friendly Version