Wisconsin Drops 3-2 Decision to Michigan
November 23, 2007 | Men's Hockey
The University of Wisconsin men's hockey team (5-6-0, 2-4-0 WCHA) fell to Michigan (12-1-0, 8-0-0 CCHA), 3-2, Saturday night at Yost Arena as part of the College Hockey Showcase in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The No. 2 Wolverines are now on an 11-game win streak.
After one period of play, the Badgers found themselves down by a score of one. The Wolverines scored on a Wisconsin power play 11 minutes and 25 seconds into the game. Chad Kolarik's shot hit the pipe and then bounced into the net past Badger goaltender Shane Connelly. Steve Kampfer was credited with the assist.
Also in the first period, Connelly (Cheltenham, Pa.) made two important saves on Michigan break-aways to keep the Badgers within one.
Wisconsin was unable to score in the second period, passing up a five-on-three opportunity. Michigan extended its lead to three with power-play goals by Kevin Porter and Max Pacioretty. Porter's goal, his 14th of the season, was assisted by Kolarik and Aaron Palushaj. Pacioretty's score was assisted by Kolarik and Porter.
The Badgers were not ready to back down, as Wisconsin scored two late third-period goals. With 2:50 left in game, freshman Brendan Smith (Mimico, Ontario) sent a pass to Podge Turnbull (Hayward, Wis.), who backhanded a shot over Sauer's right shoulder. Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn.) also tallied an assist on Smith's second goal as a Badger.
Just 18 seconds later, junior assistant captain Ben Street scored, cutting Michigan 's lead to one. Street (Coquiltam, B.C.) skated down the left wing and shot the puck straight past Sauer, bringing the score to its final, 3-2. Senior captain Davis Drewiske (Hudson, Wis.) recorded the assist on Street's goal.
Connelly stopped 31 shots for the Badgers, while Wisconsin fired 26 shots at Sauer. The UW was 1-for-8 on the power play, while the Wolverines were 2-for-7 on their power-play attempts.
The Badgers will play again on Saturday as part of the College Hockey Showcase. Wisconsin will face Michigan State in East Lansing, Mich. at 6 p.m. CT. The game will be tape-delayed on the Big Ten Network on Sunday at 1 a.m., CT and Monday at 2 p.m. CT. Live coverage can be seen at www.bigtennetwork.com for free.
