After a tough loss on Friday night, the Wisconsin Badgers put together two solid periods of hockey but could not make it three and were swept by the Michigan Wolverines 5-2 on Saturday night.
Wisconsin and Michigan got off to a quicker pace than they did yesterday with an action packed twenty minutes from the drop of the puck.
Michigan looked dangerous early, with the pair of Zach Hyman and Dylan Larkin getting quality looks on Joel Rumpel early and often.
The Wolverines’ best chance of the period came as Zach Hyman received a pass and what looked like a wide open net. However, Wisconsin netminder Joel Rumpel came sliding over, post-to-post to get a glove on the puck and keep it out of the net to keep the score at 0-0.
Rumpel’s inspired goal tending ignited a spark in the Wisconsin offense, who got the Badgers on the board and into the lead.
Ryan Wagner stole the puck from Michigan as they were attempting to break out and threw it on net. The rebound bounced around Steve Racine but he could not cover up as it dribbled right back to Wagner who pushed it to his forehand and went top shelf for the one goal lead.
The goal would prove to be enough to give the Badgers a one goal lead heading into the second period.
The Michigan Wolverines would respond in the second period.
Michigan would get on the board as Zach Hyman flew into the Badgers’ offensive zone and left a drop pass by the left faceoff service. The puck was then picked up by Justin Selman who took it one time and slapped home a puck top shelf glove side past Rumpel.
The Wolverines were not done though.
Michigan went on the power play after their first goal looking for another. The Wolverines have the third best power play in the nation and it was on display at Yost Ice Arena.
Tyler Motte had a beautiful backhand pass across the mouth of the goal to a flashing JT Compher who took it one time to sneak the puck past a sprawling Joel Rumpel giving Michigan a 2-1 lead.
It looked like Michigan was going to take the one goal lead into the third period with just under one minute to go.
Grant Besse had other ideas.
Besse came into Michigan’s offensive zone and fired a shot on Steve Racine. The puck bounced up off of Racine’s helmet and into a flurry of equipment and bodies.
The play was originally called no goal but after a lengthy review, Besse was credited the goal and the Badgers and Wolverines went into the third period of play tied at two goals apiece.
The third period belonged solely to the Michigan Wolverines.
Michigan took the one goal lead with just about 12 minutes left in the game thanks to a power play goal by JT Compher.
Compher ripped a wrist shot right by Rumpel to go top shelf. An absolute snipe from Compher that Rumpel could do nothing about.
Michigan would add an insurance goal on a two on one breakaway with Justin Selman finishing off the play.
CLIP: Bingo-bango, Dylan Larkin with a great feed to Justin Selman for his 2nd goal of the game, making it 4-2 MICH http://t.co/Oy9G7Xamun
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) February 28, 2015
Michigan’s JT Compher added an empty net goal to complete the hat trick and Michigan cruised to a solid 5-2 victory over Wisconsin.
Michigan’s weekend sweep was that much sweeter after the updated Big Ten Standings had the Wolverines on top.
We forgot an item on the to-do list:
End the weekend in 1st Place ✔
Michigan will have a 3-point lead over Minnesota with 4 games to play!
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) February 28, 2015
Wisconsin stays on the road, as they will face Michigan State in East Lansing next weekend hoping to erase an unlucky roadtrip.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!