Likens Gives Wisconsin Overtime Win With First Collegiate Goal
November 29, 2003 | Men's Hockey
Freshman Jeff Likens (Barrington, Ill.) notched the overtime game-winning goal to give the Badgers a 2-1 win over the Michigan State Spartans Saturday night in the College Hockey Showcase. After beating No. 5/6 Michigan 3-1 Friday night, Wisconsin will leave with a sweep in the College Hockey Showcase and extends its unbeaten streak to 10 games.
In the net for Wisconsin was freshman goalie Brian Elliott (Newmarket, Ontario), in his second showing of the season. Although the Badgers denied the Spartans from quality shots, Elliott deserves much of the credit for keeping MSU off of the scoreboard in the first frame. Netminder Matt Migliaccio did not find as much success between the Spartan posts as Tom Sawatske (Duluth, Minn.) used a 3-on-2 break away to put UW up 1-0 at 13:59 of the first. He had help from Andy Brandt (Wausau, Wis.) and Robbie Earl (Los Angeles, Calif.) on the play.
The Badgers continued to dominate in the second period, killing two of the four MSU power plays in the game. Elliott persisted his efforts between the posts and kept the Spartans scoreless through the first 40:00 of play. Wisconsin out shot Michigan State 23-19 in the first two periods of the game.
Michigan State returned from the locker room ready to fight in the third period. The shutout was in view for Elliott until Spartan Mike Lalonde, with help from Tom Goebel and Jim Slater, slipped the puck across the crease to tie the game and put MSU on the board. The Spartan goal came with 6:12 left in the game. After short penalty kills by both teams, the regulation time expired and the teams headed into overtime.
At the1:07 mark of OT, Jeff Likens took a long shot toward Migliaccio as Ryan MacMurchyn (Regina, Sask.) waited near the goal for the rebound. Instead the puck bounced off the goalie's shoulder and through the posts to give UW the victory. Likens' power-play goal, his first collegiate score, was assisted by Rene Bourque (Lac La Biche, Alb.) and Ryan Suter (Madison, Wis.).
The No. 14 Spartans fell to 8-7-1 with the loss, while UW's Elliott improved to 2-0-0, making 29 saves in the contest. Wisconsin tallied 35 shots on goal in 61:07 of play.
Wisconsin (8-3-3, 3-2-3 WCHA) resumes WCHA play next weekend, traveling to the mile-high city to take on the Denver Pioneers. Friday's puck drops at 8:35 p.m. and Saturday's face-off is set for 8:05 p.m. Both games are broadcast live on WIBA-AM (1310) and uwbadgers.com.
