Box Score Jan. 8, 2011
13 Wisconsin 6, Canisius 5
Kohl Center • Madison, Wis.
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| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | OT | Final | Canisius
| 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Wisconsin
| 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 6 | | | | | | Scoring Summary
| | 2nd | 04:06 | WIS
| C. Johnson (Simonelli, Smith)
| | 2nd | 05:29 | WIS | Gardiner (Lee, P. Johnson) | | 2nd | 07:56 | WIS | Smith (Zengerle, Schultz) | | 2nd | 12:50 | CAN | Law (Rex) | | 2nd | 17:46 | CAN | Jenks (Danford, Gibbons) | | 3rd | 02:27 | CAN | Bohrer (Gibbons, Morrison) | | 3rd | 08:42 | WIS | Meuer (R. Little, C. Johnson) | | 3rd | 15:09 | CAN | Shupe (Danford, Gibbons) | | 3rd | 15:51 | CAN | Law (Forsman, Jenks) | | 3rd | 16:26 | WIS | Smith (Gardiner, Schultz) | | OT | 04:52 | WIS | Schultz (Gardiner, Smith) | | Goaltender Summary
| Min | GA | Sv | CAN
| Morrison (L, 4-9-3)
| 64:51 | 6 | 47 | | WIS | Bennett (W, 4-2-2) | 64:49 | 5 | 18 | | Statistical Comparison
| CAN | WIS
| | Shots on Goal | 23 | 53 | Power Plays
| 3-7 | 2-10 | Penalties-Minutes
| 10-20 | 7-14 | | |
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• Final Stats | Final Stats 
MADISON, Wis. -- After a scoreless first period between Wisconsin (14-7-3, 6-6-2 WCHA) and Canisius, the 13,201 fans at the Kohl Center might have thought they were in for a dull conclusion to Wisconsin's non-conference schedule. What followed was a frenzied final two periods, followed by an overtime that saw the Badgers record an overtime victory for the first time since a 4-3 win over St. Cloud State on March 17, 2007 in the third-place game of the 2007 WCHA Final Five.
The two teams skated to a goal less first period that saw the Badgers take a 10-3 edge in shots over Canisius (6-10-4, 5-6-4 AH). After the first intermission, the action continued non-stop for the rest of the night in a game that saw numerous lead changes, 17 total penalties, and finally a game-winning goal by Justin Schultz (West Kelowna, B.C.) with just eight seconds remaining on the clock in overtime.
Early in the second period, the Badgers struck first. After gaining a short man advantage following 1:27 of 4-on-4 action, Craig Johnson (Waupaca, Wis.) recorded his first goal of the season. The senior defenseman shot from the right faceoff dot, and his shot deflected off a Canisius defender and into the net. The goal, coming at 4:06 of the first period, was the first for the senior defenseman in 24 games.
The Badgers quickly tallied two more goals at even strength. First, defenseman Jake Gardiner (Minnetonka, Minn.) received a pass from Derek Lee (North Vancouver, B.C.) on a give-and-go and put home a wrist shot to extend the lead to 2-0 at 5:29 of the second period.
Then, just after a Badger power play concluded, Craig Smith (Madison, Wis.) gave Wisconsin their largest lead of the night at 3-0. Smith skillfully stick handled the puck through two defensemen, and put the puck home. The goal came at 7:56 of the second period, with the three Badger goals in the period coming just 3:40 apart.
The Badgers looked to extend their lead and put the game away, however, the momentum shifted toward Canisius. Right after a Badger power play concluded, Canisius' Taylor Law got the puck on a breakaway and scored on a backhander to tally the first goal for the Golden Griffins. Later in the period, Scott Jenks scored a power -play goal to cut the Badger lead to 3-2 at 17:46 of the second period.
To start the final period, Canisius tied the game at 3-3 with a goal 2:27 into the third. Ryan Bohrer took a wrist shot that beat UW goaltender Brett Bennett (Williamsville, N.Y.) to the top shelf, evening the score.
Later in the period, Wisconsin's fourth line came up big. Ryan Little (Fond du Lac, Wis.) attempted a wraparound that was saved, but Keegan Meuer (Madison, Wis.) was there to poke in a rebound for his first goal as a Badger. The goal gave Wisconsin a 4-3 lead.
Later in the third period, the Golden Griffins took advantage of 38 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage. First, Preston Shupe tipped in a shot from the point to tie the game at four at 15:09 of the third period. Then Taylor Law scored his second goal of the night when he deflected a point shot from the high slot. The two Canisius goals came just 42 seconds apart, and gave the Griffins their first lead of the game at 5-4.
However, the Badgers did not let that deficit stand for long. Jake Gardiner sent a bouncing pass through the zone, and Craig Smith hammered it out of the air for the goal. The score was Smith's second of the game, and tied the score at 5-5 after Canisius held the lead for just 35 seconds.
The Badgers held an overwhelming edge in shots on goal, at 49-22 through regulation. That included a 24-9 edge in shots in a third period that saw Canisius outscore UW 3-2. Despite that, the teams went to overtime tied.
As overtime went on, the Badgers controlled most of the action in the offensive zone, but were unable to convert for the win. With just under 30 seconds left in the period, the Badgers won the puck along the boards in their own end. Having time for just one last rush, they pressed the puck forward. Jake Gardiner skated through the zone and found an open Justin Schultz at the corner of the ice. Schultz shot it into the back of the net, and Wisconsin mobbed him on the ice to celebrate a wild overtime victory.
Brett Bennett made 18 saves, earning the victory for Wisconsin and pushing his record to 4-2-2 on the season. Canisius' Dan Morrison stopped 47 shots, and fell to 4-9-3 this year.
Wisconsin outshot Canisius 53-24 for the game. In a game that saw 17 penalties whistled, Wisconsin was 2-for-10 on the power play, while Canisius was 3-for-7.
Craig Smith recorded two goals and two assists for Wisconsin. Craig Johnson had one goal and one helper, while defensemen Justin Schultz and Jake Gardiner each had one goal and two assists.
Wisconsin now heads back into WCHA conference play, traveling to face Minnesota Duluth next weekend. Games are Friday and Saturday night at 7 p.m. (CT) at the new Amsoil Arena.
The Big Ten Network is scheduled to re-air tonight's game on Tuesday, Jan. 11 at 9 a.m. (CT). Check your local listings for more information.
Fast Facts
| • Jake Gardiner's 14 shots on goal was the most at UW since 1998-99
| | • Keegan Meuer and Craig Johnson each scored their first goal of the season | • This is Wisconsin's first overtime at home since Oct. 7, 2005, a 3-2 win over St. Lawrence
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