The fourth-ranked Badgers ended their seven-game winning streak this weekend by posting a two-game split against border rival Minnesota.
Wisconsin (15-5-0 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, 20-7-1 overall) dominated the first night of the sold-out series, but low, searing shots and a solid defensive performance at the end won the second game for the No. 9 Gophers (13-9-0, 20-11-0).
On Friday night, the Badgers started slow and seemed behind after a bye-week. \It was a tempo issue; we were rusty,"" head coach Mike Eaves said.
Wisconsin coordinated their offense in the second period and pushed action into the Gopher zone. With players like sophomore forward Ross Carlson defending the sides and providing scoring opportunities, the Badgers ended up with back-to-back power-play goals.
The Badgers continued to crowd their way toward the crease, pounding Minnesota sophomore goaltender Kellen Briggs with direct hits. Wisconsin derived confidence from forward Joe Pavelski, who leads the WCHA in freshman scoring. His power-play goal at 8:10 in the second period increased the pressure on the Gophers. The Badgers dismantled Gopher play development and Minnesota became disorganized and ineffective.
A steely Wisconsin defense commanded the rest of the game with critical shot-blocking set-ups. Sophomore forward Ryan Potulny managed Minnesota's only goal past senior goaltender Bernd Br??ckler, who posted his 15th win.
The second game of the series saw a faster and more aggressive Gopher team which opened each period with a goal.
""They came out fast and they came out physical,"" junior defenseman Tom Gilbert said.
Minnesota sophomore forward Danny Irmen, who is ranked sixth in the conference in scoring, ignited the game with a power-play goal past Br??ckler's stick side at 3:07. The initial push from the Gophers was offset minutes later by Gilbert's low goal, with Carlson and junior forward Nick Licari adding assists.
While the Gopher offense flopped around on one end, Minnesota senior goaltender Justin Johnson battled the Badger offense until sophomore forward Robbie Earl brought the puck to the middle and swatted in his 14th goal of the season.
At the beginning of second period, the Gophers' stream of hard shots resulted in a goal from Minnesota's assist-leader, junior forward Tyler Hirsch. Wisconsin fought back when junior forward Adam Burish pushed in Gilbert's empty shot on the power play. This prompted Gopher head coach Don Lucia to put in sophomore goaltender Kellen Briggs.
The entrance of Briggs activated Minnesota's defensemen in the last five minutes of the second period, which set the tone for the rest of the game.
After intermission, Br??ckler began to fall behind and Wisconsin's defense offered sloppy protection. Potulny pulled Minnesota into a tie when the Badgers were unable to take the puck away from Br??ckler.
Wisconsin caught up and played strong for the rest of the period. Wingers like Burish became aggressive and Briggs was forced to make crafty saves in order to retain the tie.
Still, the Badgers were unable to use the power play, even though they lead the nation in penalty-killing.
Wisconsin's defense increasingly lost its grip toward the end. In the final minute, Minnesota senior forward Barry Tallackson tossed the puck over Br??ckler to put the Gophers ahead.
""We weren't ready in that final period,"" Gilbert said.
