Sioux Shut Out Badgers
November 22, 2002 | Men's Hockey
Wisconsin (5-6-0, 1-4-0 WCHA), playing in its third straight league road game, met the third-ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux (10-1-0, 4-1-0) on Friday night at Ralph Engelstad Arena (11,331). The Sioux entered the game on a three-game win streak and the victors in nine of their first 10 games this season. With a 2-0 win, the Sioux shut out a Badger team on their home ice for the first time since Nov. 20, 1982 (84 games ago).
Sophomore goaltender Bernd Bruckler (Graz, Austria) started in goal for the UW on Friday night in the opening night of the two-game series in Grand Forks. Wisconsin entered the game with a 1-4-0 mark on Friday nights this season, giving up 20 goals while scoring 11. The Badgers had allowed nine opponent first-period goals in the previous three Friday night games, but tonight against the Sioux held the league's top-scoring offense (4.70 goals per game) to just two goals ' one in the second period and one empty-net tally late in the third period.
In the first period, Bruckler stopped all 13 UND shots, including five from within the slot. On the other end, Sioux goaltender Jake Brandt stopped nine Badger opportunities. Both teams went 0-1 on the power play.
The Fighting Sioux took the lead late in the second period on a tip in that Bruckler had no chance on. That goal, which proved to be the gamewinner, came at the 10:27 mark after a shot by Andy Schneider from the point, was deflected in by Jason Notermann.
UND turned up its defensive play in the third period, holding the Badgers to five shots on goal, while firing 10 at Bruckler. For the game, UND outshot the UW 32-22. After pulling Bruckler at the 19:00 minute mark, the Badgers couldn't score with the extra skater, and after a misplayed puck, UND's James Masson hit the empty net to clinch the victory.
It was the first shutout over the Badgers this season.
The two teams meet again tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m.
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