Badgers Defeat Fighting Sioux in 7-6 OT Win
December 07, 2001 | Men's Hockey
The Wisconsin Badgers brought the Kohl Center to its feet after scoring five unanswered goals in their 7-6 win against the visiting North Dakota Fighting Sioux. Freshman Alex Leavitt led the Badgers with two goals and one assist, while sophomore Rene Bourque sealed the win for Wisconsin after scoring the game-winner at 1:59 into the overtime period.
The Fighting Sioux took control of the game early in the first period taking a 3-0 lead. North Dakota's Ryan Bayda opened up the game off an assist from Brandon Bochenski three minutes into the first period, followed by a Chris Fournier goal two minutes later off an assist from Andy Schneider. The Badgers struggled against the Fighting Sioux defense and right wing Brian Canady lit the lamp against Wisconsin goaltender Scott Kabotoff to close the first period.
Wisconsin forward Brad Winchester scored unassisted to put the Badgers on the scoreboard 3-1 just 56 seconds into the second period as the Badgers began their slow and steady climb back into the game. North Dakota answered the Wisconsin goal two minutes later as David Lundbohm scored off assists from Chad Mazurak and Tim Skarperud.
Assisted by Andy Wozniewski and Dan Boeser, Leavitt came back for UW on a Badger power-play with four minutes left in the second to score his first goal of the game. Now, with a two-goal lead, North Dakota closed out the second period after Ryan Hale scored on their own power-play to keep the Fighting Sioux lead 5-2.
Entering the third period, the Badgers gave up one last goal to North Dakota after UND's Chad Mazurak scored his sixth season goal and the Fighting Sioux's sixth goal of the game off their third successful power-play of the game. But then Wisconsin took back their ice scoring four goals to roar back into the game. Leavitt started the scoring for the Badgers, followed by goals from Winchester, Brian Fahey and Jake Heisler. Fahey earned his first of the season, while tonight's goal marks a Heisler career first.
With regulation time over, the teams entered overtime tied 6-6. As over 11,000 Wisconsin fans took to their feet, Boeser and teammate Matt Doman worked the puck to Bourque for the Badger's winning goal to take the 7-6 lead and the win.
Wisconsin goaltender Kabotoff had 27 saves, while North Dakota goaltender Andy Kollar collected 40 saves for the Fighting Sioux. Tonight's overtime win marks six of the last nine games against North Dakota ending in overtime and three straight overtime wins over the Fighting Sioux at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers and Fighting Sioux Saturday in the second game of the series. Face-off is 7:05 p.m.
