MADISON, Wis. — The Badger men's hockey team couldn't capitalize on early action and fell to the No. 20 Michigan State Spartans Friday night at the Kohl Center, 4-0.

The Badgers started out with energy and momentum in the first period with a power play 26 seconds into the game, out-shooting the Spartans 12-0 through the first seven minutes.

Both goalies notched a shutout first period, but Michigan State scored one goal in the second and broke it open in the third with three more goals, capped off by an empty-netter.

An impressive performance from Michigan State goalie, John Lethemon held the Badgers scoreless through the night, stopping 39 shots.

Senior goalie Jack Berry made his first Kohl Center start since January 5, 2019 and ended with 22 saves on the night. 

Notes to know: 

• Freshman Shay Donovan made his Badger debut with two shots on goal
• Tarek Baker attempted the first penalty shot for Wisconsin since January 19, 2018.

Straight from the rink:

Head Coach Tony Granato:
"The start of the game was great. The first 10 minutes were great and we took one penalty and allowed their power play guys and their skills guys to to touch the puck and move it around a little bit. They got into the game. We did some things that disrupted our flow. Long shifts was one example. 

"It's been a pretty consistent discussion after games that their goalie was good. He was good because he saw the pucks. With 39 shots, there's not too many he had to fight through the screens or there was a lot of traffic around him. He got a big save on that penalty shot in the third."

Junior Captain Wyatt Kalynuk:
"I think we had a good start. We were getting pucks in behind them and creating turnovers down below their goal line, then we took a penalty and it kinda put us back on our heels." 

"We've been in this position too many times this year, unfortunately. We've come back Saturdays and played well, so we know what we have to do. There's not really a message that needs to be said. We're going to come back and watch some things tomorrow morning and we'll be ready to go tomorrow night."

Up Next: Wisconsin will face off against the Spartans again tomorrow night in game two of the series. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. with a broadcast available on Fox Sports Wisconsin Plus.