Pulver named Big Ten Third Star of the Week

MADISON, Wis. – A 44-save weekend from sophomore goaltender Eli Pulver in Wisconsin's split with No. 2 Michigan on Feb. 20-21 earned him a Big Ten Third Star of the Week nod, the Conference announced on Tuesday.

On Friday, Pulver made 22 saves to backstop the Badgers to a B1G 4-1 win over the Wolverines to earn his third win of the season. All three of the sophomore's wins have come against top-2 teams as he also stood between the pipes in Wisconsin's sweep of No. 1 Michigan State in East Lansing on Nov. 21-22.

Holdin' down the fort 🫡

22 saves for Eli Pulver tonight! Check out some of his best 👇 pic.twitter.com/5uxiC9wjQj
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 21, 2026

In Saturday's game, Pulver made 22 saves and allowed just two goals in UW's 3-1 loss to the Wolverines - the third goal got scored on an empty net. Across 47 shots faced in two games played over the weekend, the Vancouver, British Columbia, native allowed just three goals against the nation's top offense, which averages 4.53 goals per game. He finished the weekend with a .936 save percentage and an average of 1.54 goals allowed.

This marks Pulver's first career Big Ten weekly honor and Wisconsin's eighth of the 2025-26 season. Freshman defenseman Luke Osburn was the Badgers' most recent star of the week, earning a second star nod on Feb. 10. Pulver was CCHA Rookie of the Week on March 3, 2025, while at Minnesota State.

Pulver and the No. 12/13 Badgers have a week off before traveling to Happy Valley to face Penn State for their final regular-season series of the year on Thursday and Friday, March 5-6. Both games start at 6 p.m. CT and stream on B1G+. Audio play-by-play can be found on 1310 WIBA, as well as on the Badgers app and the Varsity Network app. You can also follow along on X/Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey.

University of Wisconsin Athletics

Pulver named Big Ten Third Star of the Week

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