MINNEAPOLIS - Although the Wisconsin men's hockey team treated this past weekend's games at Minnesota as must-wins, the Badgers seemed relieved to escape from Mariucci Arena Saturday night with one point on the weekend after facing a tough Gopher squad.
In front of sellout crowds, the Gophers jumped out to early leads in both contests, forcing the Badgers to play from behind for much of the series. Friday, the Badgers fell behind 3-0 after two periods en route to a 4-2 loss. Saturday, Wisconsin answered each Gopher score with one of its own as it salvaged a 4-4 tie.
Minnesota senior defenseman Derek Peltier scored in Friday night's first period for the 1-0 lead, taking a beautiful feed in the left circle from sophomore forward Mike Carman and beating Wisconsin junior goaltender Shane Connelly.
Carman scored on a rebound that bounced directly to his stick at the top of the crease just after the second period's midway point for the 2-0 lead.
The Gophers went up 3-0 on a goal by freshman forward Patrick White shortly after Carman's goal.
Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves attempted to ignite his team heading into the third period by pulling Connelly in favor of freshman Scott Gudmandson. However, goals in the final stanza by Wisconsin sophomore forwards Blake Geoffrion and Aaron Bendickson were not enough, as Minnesota sophomore winger Jay Barriball added an insurance goal for the two goal victory.
The Gophers outshot the Badgers 38-27 for the game.
We didn't really show up until the third period,"" Eaves said. ""It's disappointing that we stood and watched for two periods.""
""You expect everyone to be ready to play when they drop the puck,"" Bendickson said. ""I don't know what was going on tonight.""
Perhaps it was Minnesota's dominant Friday performance coupled with another quick start on Saturday that left the Badgers feeling somewhat satisfied with a tie in the latter game.
A shot by the Gophers' White in the first period hit off a Badger stick and was redirected past Connelly for the 1-0 lead.
Wisconsin responded, however, as sophomore forward John Mitchell, nearing the end of his shift, shot the puck at Minnesota freshman goalie Alex Kangas, who deflected the puck with his arm into the net to even the score.
Mitchell's goal was the first of a few fluke goals for the Badgers.
Trailing 3-2 in the second period, freshman forward Podge Turnbull shot the puck in the direction of the net. He was as surprised as anyone to find out that it went in the net.
""I just threw it at the net there and I heard a funny noise and I didn't know what it was and I looked and everyone else was celebrating so I figured I might as well put my hands and stick in the air,"" Turnbull said. ""A couple of those goals probably shouldn't have gone in tonight.""
Barriball put Minnesota up 4-3 in the third, but Wisconsin again tied the score when freshman forward Patrick Johnson notched another Badger goal, quieting the loud Gopher crowd with a goal that slid through the legs of Kangas with 5:02 left in regulation.
None of the five combined shots attempted in overtime found the net. Overall, Wisconsin recorded 41 shots on goal while Minnesota shot 32 pucks at Connelly.
The tie on Saturday was significant because it kept the Badgers in the top five of the WCHA standings and on the inside of the NCAA Tournament picture. Putting the series into postseason perspective, the team understood that a Saturday tie was sufficient.
""Just getting a point out of it looks good enough,"" Johnson said.
""I think at this time of year ... it's about getting the points more than anything else,"" Eaves said.
