This weekend, for the first time in its history, Wisconsin won its Big Ten opener.
The league has only been around for four years, but the win is still an impressive milestone for a program that has floundered in the conference the past two years.
Nonetheless, after defeating Michigan (7-8-1 overall, 1-3-0 Big Ten) Friday night, the Badgers (8-7-1, 1-1-0) fell in the second game of the series and left Ann Arbor with a split.
Sparked by a five-goal second period, Wisconsin took down Michigan 7-4 Friday night, displaying its potent offense to the Maize and Blue. Sophomore captain Luke Kunin and sophomore forward Will Johnson both notched two goals in the second frame. Senior forward Aidan Cavallini scored his first collegiate goal, breaking a 64-game scoring drought.
"My eyes were just glued to the puck," Cavallini told UWBadgers.com. "The other team wasn't really looking at anyone on the ice so I said if this bounces on my stick, I'm hammering it home."
The Badgers fell behind 2-0 early, surrendering two power play goals within a minute. But freshman forward Trent Frederic, playing his first game in four weeks, cut the deficit in half with a power play goal.
"To give up two goals early, we didn't flinch," head coach Tony Granato told UWBadgers.com "I was really proud of our bench, not getting down and not letting it affect the next shift.”
It was Wisconsin’s first victory over Michigan since 2014 and the Badgers’ eighth win of the season, matching their total from last year.
Saturday night was a different story though, as Wisconsin fell 4-1 despite outshooting the Wolverines 35-19.
Michigan scored two quick goals in the first within a minute and a half, forcing UW to play from behind early. This time, Wisconsin was unable to mount a comeback.
The Badgers cut the deficit to one after a Grant Besse power play goal in the second, his eighth of the night.
"It was a good performance," Granato said. "We were close, we were really close. We didn't execute around the net the way we did last night and their goalie was good."
Wisconsin went 1-for-7 on the power play, a departure from their usual efficiency with a man advantage.
"We had a lot of chances that didn't go in for us," Granato said. "I thought the special teams weren't quite as sharp and that could've been fatigue on the second night of a series."
Michigan added two empty-net goals in the waning minutes to put the game on ice.
Regardless, it’s been an impressive start to the year for a Wisconsin program that has struggled mightily the last couple seasons.
They will have plenty of time to rest, as they take a hiatus for exams and the holidays. They resume play with a series beginning January 6 against Michigan State at home.
