MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo. – A perfect 22-save performance from freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser helped the No. 19/20 Wisconsin men's hockey team shut down the Lindenwood Lions, 3-0, on Friday night at Centene Community Ice Center.
Wisconsin (1-0-0) opened the scoring 9:27 into the first period when senior forward Christian Fitzgerald found the back of the net on the power play. Freshman forward Grady Deering extended UW's lead 17:12 into period two, before sophomore forward Ryan Botterill sealed the win with an empty-net goal 19:46 into the third frame. Lindenwood (0-1-0) pushed throughout the game, tallying 22 shots on goal and receiving six power-play chances, but was unable to convert on any scoring opportunities as UW earned the shutout victory.
How it Happened
Fitzgerald got the Badgers on the board first, 9:27 into the first period, when he banked a rebound of sophomore defenseman Logan Hensler's shot into the net on the power play.
Deering tallied his first NCAA goal 17:12 into the second frame after cutting to the front of the net and tucking a shot home.
To make it a 3-0 game and seal Wisconsin's victory, Botterill shot the puck into the empty net, 19:46 into the third.
Wisconsin went 1-for-4 on the power play and 6-for-6 on the penalty kill. UW finished the contest with a 33-22 advantage in shots on goal.
Notes to know:
- Hauser became the first Badger since
William Gramme and the sixth UW goaltender all-time to post a shutout in his collegiate debut. Gramme's shutout came on Nov. 25, 2023, when he posted 25 saves in a 5-0 win over Alaska Anchorage. Jack Berry (2016), Bernd Bruckler (2001), Jim Carey (1992) and Wayne Thomas (1968) are the other Badgers who accomplished the feat
- The last time UW shut out its opponent in its season opener was on Oct. 7, 2023, when Kyle McClellan recorded 25 saves in Wisconsin's 4-0 victory over Augustana
- Deering (one goal) and freshman forward
Oliver Tulk (two assists) recorded their first collegiate points in their first NCAA game, while senior defenseman
Aiden Dubinsky (one assist) tallied his first point as a Badger
Up Next: The Badgers continue their series against Lindenwood on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7 p.m. CT. The game streams on FloHockey. Audio play-by-play can be found on 1310 WIBA as well as on the Badgers app and the Varsity Network app. You can also follow along on X/Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey.
