Oct. 24, 2009

 

Box Score | Box Score

 

MADISON, Wis.- The UW men's hockey team got back on the ice to attempt a weekend sweep of the Minnesota State at Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, Minn. Though the Badgers outshot the Mavericks 33-27, a pair of third period major penalties thwarted their efforts, and UW lost the game 3-2.

Again, the Badgers jumped out to the early lead over the Mavericks. The first goal of the game was scored by senior forward Blake Geoffrion (Brentwood, Tenn.). The goal came with 6:58 left in the first period, and it was Geoffrion's third power-play goal of the season. It was a bit of a scramble before the goal and referees reviewed the goal before making it official.

Junior defenseman Brendan Smith (Mimico, Ontario), who had two points last night for the Badgers, was credited with the primary assist. Freshman defenseman Justin Schultz (West Kelowna, B.C.) had the secondary assist for UW. Heading into the second period, the Badgers were at a 1-0 advantage.

The Mavericks tied the game up 2:55 into the second period. Sophomore forward Adam Mueller scored on a nearly empty net, as Badger goaltender Scott Gudmandson (Sherwood Park, Alberta) got shifted out of position. This was MSU's first goal of the weekend.

Minnesota State took its first lead of the series with 11:26 left in the second period. The goal was credited to Maverick freshman forward Eriah Hayes. The score was 2-1 in favor of the Mavericks heading into the final period. UW was edging the MSU in shots on goal, 24-19.

With 14:32 left in the third period, Geoffrion returned the favor to Brendan Smith after Smith assisted Geoffrion for the first goal. Geoffrion's behind the back pass surprised the Maverick defense, and Smith was able to score his second goal in as many games. Smith was standing alone in front of the net and managed to slide the puck by the Maverick goaltender to tie the game up.

A pair of major penalties - one by Craig Smith and the second by Ryan McDonagh - gave the Mavericks nearly nine and a half minutes of major power play starting just before the midpoint of the final period. The Badgers killed the first on Smith, who will sit out UW's next game after receiving a game disqualification, but couldn't hold the entire time as Zach Harrison finished a rebound with 7:38 left in the period to go up 3-2.

Despite the long penalty kill, Wisconsin had chances to even the game. Derek Stepan hit the post on a short-handed attempt from the slot and Aaron Bendickson was hauled down during a partial breakaway with 51 seconds left to give Wisconsin a power play to close out the game. The Badgers failed to convert.

The Badgers finished 2-for-9 on the power play, while MSU went 1-for-6, though the two majors make that number slightly deceiving.

Wisconsin goaltender Scott Gudmandson stopped 24 shots and fell to 0-1-1 on the year, as the Badgers are now 1-2-1 overall. MSU's Austin Lee stopped 31 shots to improve to 2-1-0.

The Badgers get back on the Kohl Center ice next weekend, as New Hampshire comes to town. The pucks are dropped at 7 p.m. next Friday and Saturday.

Brady Hartung

UW Athletic Communications