Wisconsin Badgers
15-7-2, 8-6-0
Penn State
18-6-0, 10-4-0
No. 5 Wisconsin dropped by No. 8 Penn State
January 24, 2026 | Men's Hockey
Biggest crowd of the year helps Badgers celebrate 2006 NCAA champs
MADISON, Wis. – A first-period short-handed goal from Christian Fitzgerald wasn't enough as the No. 5 Wisconsin men's hockey team fell to the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday night at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin (15-7-2, 8-6-0 Big Ten - 22 points) got on the board first, 6:50 into the first period, on a short-handed goal from Christian Fitzgerald. Neither team scored in the second as UW headed into the final frame with a one-goal advantage. Penn State (18-6-0, 10-4-0 Big Ten - 31 points) tied the game 4:54 into the third, before it took a 2-1 lead at 13:08. An empty-net goal at 19:07 sealed a 3-1 victory for the Nittany Lions.
During tonight's game, the Badgers celebrated 20 years of the 2006 national championship team, with over 20 members of the roster in attendance.
2006 CHAMPS IN THE HOUSE 🙌 pic.twitter.com/ECpFmowfg4
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 25, 2026
How it Happened
First Period
Penn State got the first power play of the game, 4:57 into the first period.
With seven seconds remaining on the PSU man advantage, at 6:50, senior forward Fitzgerald tallied his first career short-handed goal to open the scoring.
FITZMAAAAGIC 🪄
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 25, 2026
The senior (@13Fitzgerald) kicks off the scoring with a SHORTY!
🍎: Tyson Dyck pic.twitter.com/jD9LvPjRrP
Wisconsin had a power play chance of its own at 14:31, but it was unable to extend its lead.
At 18:59, Penn State had another opportunity on the man advantage, but it didn't capitalize on any scoring chances to tie the game.
Second Period
The second period was quiet, with neither team finding the back of the net for a goal that counted.
Each team had a chance on the power play, but did not score to get on the board or extend a lead.
At 16:55, Wisconsin found the back of the net, but it was called no goal on the ice for goaltender interference. UW challenged the call, but after review, it was confirmed to be no goal.
Third Period
The Nittany Lions tied the game at one, 4:54 into the third, with a goal from J.J. Wiebusch.
PSU took the lead at 13:08 on a goal from Reese Laubach.
Gavin McKenna sealed a 3-1 victory for Penn State with an empty net goal at 19:07.
Wisconsin went 0-for-2 on the power play and 3-for-3 on the penalty kill. UW finished the contest with a 41-33 advantage in shots on goal.
Notes to know
- Tyson Dyck is on a six-game point streak, the longest of his career
- Christian Fitzgerald scored his first-career shorthanded goal
- Tonight's attendance of 13,355 marks UW's largest home crowd of the season, and the second-highest attended college hockey game of the year. The only larger crowd was 17,478, a Nov. 29 contest between Boston University and Cornell at Madison Square Garden
Straight from the rink
Head Coach Mike Hastings
On finishing in front of the net
"We talk about being process-driven, and tonight our process was better. So that's just a little bit more finish, a little bit harder mentally, which playing games like this prepares you for that."
On celebrating the 2006 national championship team
"They win on the ice. They're winning off the ice, too. So, we've got a lot to learn from them."
Senior forward Christian Fitzgerald
On tonight's game
"We definitely generated enough chances to win the game. I think ultimately, the result was caused by defensive blunders at times. I thought we were in a position to win a game there going into the third, and it's on us to be better. Can't let that slip away."
Junior forward Quinn Finley
On bouncing back during this stretch
"Obviously, we have Minnesota next weekend in Minnesota. They're pretty hungry, and we need to go in there with the right mindset and be ready to go on Monday and make sure everyone is ready to go."
Up Next: The Badgers travel to Minneapolis to renew their rivalry with Minnesota on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 30-31. Friday's game starts at 7 p.m., while Saturday's begins at 6 p.m. Both games stream on B1G+. 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.
