Badgers, MSU Skate to 1-1 Tie in OT
December 08, 2007 | Men's Hockey
The University of Wisconsin men's hockey team (7-7-2, 4-5-1 WCHA) earned a series split with Minnesota State (5-6-3, 3-6-3 WCHA) on Saturday night, skating to a 1-1 overtime decision at the Alltel Center in Mankato, Minn. Sophomore Jamie McBain (Faribault, Minn.) scored the Badger's only goal of the night in the second period.
After falling early to MSU, Wisconsin came back to tie the Mavericks on their fifth consecutive power play.
The Badgers entered the locker room after the first period down by one, thanks to a series of impressive saves by goaltender Shane Connelly (Cheltenham, Pa.). Minnesota State 's first goal, which may have deflected off a Badger, was scored by Joel Hanson three minutes and 41 seconds into the game. Trevor Bruess and Ben Youds were credited with the assists.
Despite having four power-play opportunities, Wisconsin was unable to tie the score in the second period. The Badgers recorded a few on-goal shots in the stanza, including shots from the stick of Kyle Klubertanz (Sun Prairie, Wis.), Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn.) and Kyle Turris (New Westminster, B.C.). Turris' shot was the best opportunity for the Badgers, bouncing off the pipe in favor of MSU.
After allowing the Mavericks to fire 16 shots in the first period, Wisconsin was able to better contain the Mavericks in the second, keeping them to just three additional shots.
The Badgers had plenty of opportunities in the second, in which they were able to score on one. Klubertanz had an opportunity on the power-play, but his shot hit the pipe and bounced across and out of the crease. Wisconsin was able to tie the game in the third with a goal by McBain on their fifth consecutive power play. Turris and Ben Street (Coquitlam, B.C.) tallied assists for the Badgers, who snapped MSU's 29 penalty-kill streak.
Wisconsin had opportunities to clinch a win both in the third period and in overtime, but was unable to do so. The Badgers, who have struggled recently on the power play, were unable to connect on a long five-on-three advantage late in the third. They also had a power-play opportunity in overtime, but were unable to score on that chance, going just one-for-nine on power plays on the night.
The Badgers were successful on the penalty kill however, holding Minnesota State on all five of their power-play attempts.
Connelly finished the night with 30 saves, while Mike Zacharias stopped 27 shots for the Mavericks.
With a couple weeks off from games, the Badgers will have a chance to regroup before the 19th annual Badger Hockey Showdown at the Kohl Center on Dec. 28-29. The UW will face Colgate at 7 p.m. on Friday, and will play either Bowling Green or Northeastern at 7 p.m. on Saturday night.
