The Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey team (11-16-3) ended their seven-game matchup win streak against the Penn State Nittany Lions (14-11-3) last weekend, losing to them twice.
The Badgers were shut out 2-0 on Friday and let in three goals in the third period on Saturday in their 6-2 loss. Saturday was a penalty-ridden game for the Badgers, where they let in two power-play goals.
The referees called 11 penalties on the Badgers over the weekend, totaling 21 minutes, 53 seconds and three shots on goal for Penn State. Wisconsin killed nine penalties between Friday and Saturday, but two goals on six shots on Saturday for Penn State put the Badgers in a situation they couldn’t come back from.
Wisconsin had eight power play opportunities, scoring during two of them on Saturday. They had 13 shots in total in 17:53 minutes.
Wisconsin’s overall penalty statistics have them at an advantage in terms of a .229 conversion percentage over their opponents’ .194 conversion percentage. The Badgers dominate in shot attempts but can’t turn those into goals.
The Badgers can outshoot their opponents, having a 1013-791 differential in total shots on goal this season, but they can’t outscore them. A .088 shot percentage for the Badgers versus their opponents .109 is what matters in terms of winning games. Dominating in shots hasn’t been in favor for the Badgers all season.
Senior goaltender Tommy Scarfone played in both games over the weekend where he was bested by Penn State forwards. Saturday was statistically one of his worst games of the season, with a .762 save percentage. He only faced 16 shots that night, while Penn State goaltender Arsenii Sergeev faced 39.
Wisconsin goaltenders only have 694 saves this season while their opponents have 907.
Heading to Ohio State (18-8-2) to face the No. 8 Buckeyes could test the Badgers on shot opportunities. Ohio State can struggle on the penalty kill, letting their opponents convert .225% on the power play.
Wisconsin started the season with few penalties per game, but over the last few weekends they’ve been getting more scrappy and more reckless, leading to those two-minute minors. Although Ohio State only converts on .202% of power plays, they’ve managed to draw 108 penalties from their opponents. As the past few games have shown, Wisconsin may need to focus on their penalty kill.
This weekend is the second to last series of the regular season for the Badgers. Wisconsin plays Notre Dame on Feb. 21 and 22, and an exhibition game at home the following week. The Big Ten Tournament is March 7-22 and is the Badgers’ best chance at playing in the NCAA playoffs.
Games will start at 6 p.m. CST on Friday and 7:30 p.m. CST on Saturday at Value City Arena in Columbus.
