MADISON, Wis. -- Home-ice advantage proved too much to handle for the back-to-back reigning national champions as the No. 17 Wisconsin men's hockey team (2-1-0, 0-0-0 Big Ten) defeated No. 3 Minnesota Duluth (1-2-0, 0-0-0 NCHC), 6-2, in its home opener.
 
The Badger freshmen stole the show as forwards Cole Caufield and Owen Lindmark both scored two goals a piece. Lindmark, chosen first star, tallied his second short-handed marker and the game-winning goal, while Caufield has six goals through two games to go along with one assist on the season.
 
Defense was another key attribute needed for a Badger victory as Wisconsin gave up five goals in each of their first two games. Daniel Lebedeff was everywhere against the Bulldogs, recording 26 saves at .929 save percentage.
 
Other goal scorers include Linus Weissbach and Tarek Baker both getting their first of the season. Weissbach also added two assists, pulling into a three-way tie with Caufield and Alex Turcotte for the top spot in points on the Badgers at seven.
 
The defending champions put up two goals in the first period but were held scoreless through the final two. 

Notes to know:

• Friday's game extended the Badger's win streak to four over Minnesota Duluth over the past seven years.
• Now with multi-goal games in his first three career contests, Cole Caufield is one multi-goal game away from matching John Newberry's four multi-goal games to start the 1981-82 season for the longest such streak to start a Badger season.
• Wisconsin's three short-handed goals through three games already passed the Badgers' two short-handed goal total from all of 2018-19.

Straight from the Rink
Head Coach Tony Granato
On the game as a whole:
"Tonight's a game where we were playing a championship team for a reason, and they were going to scratch and claw and find a way to get back into them. We didn't give them a whole lot of opportunities to do that because as the game went on we played a really really smart team and that's been exciting to see."

On Wiessbach's and Turcotte's play:
"Linus' performance tonight was just outstanding. The same mentality he had, I think Turcotte rubbed off on him. I think both of them with what they got going as a line right now, they're able to force the other team's lots of mistakes because of their tenacity, their speed and their work ethic."

Freshman forward Cole Caufield
On the win:
"I think as long as I keep it going, our team is going to keep winning and that's the most important part. I'm just trying to do my part to help the team win."

Freshman forward Owen Lindmark
On the game:
"It was a great environment and it's gonna get even better tomorrow. We're gonna bring the same intensity and put on a show for the fans."

Sophomore goaltender Daniel Lebedeff
On the team:
"Our D boxed out really well. I saw the puck almost the whole game. If we keep playing like this it's gonna be a really good year for us."

Up next: Wisconsin will take on Minnesota Duluth for game two of the home opening series Saturday at 7 p.m. from the Kohl Center. The game airs on FOX Sport Wisconsin.