Wisconsin got on top early in the first and added a goal in the second and was able to cling to a one goal lead in the third as the UW Men’s Hockey team earned a series sweep of Arizona State beating the Sun Devils 2-1 on Saturday night at The Kohl Center.
Wisconsin grabbed the lead thanks to the junior, Jedd Soleway.
Soleway put the Badgers up 1-0 just 3:57 into the first period off a pass from freshman Patrick Sexton. It was Solweay’s second goal on the year.
The junior looks to produce more and more as the season goes on, tallying a goal and an assist in the win.
Despite dominating the first period of play, Wisconsin could not add on to their lead and took the one goal lead into the second period after outshooting ASU 12-5 in the first period. Wisconsin would end the game outshooting Arizona State 38-26.
The second period was full of back and forth chances for both teams.
Arizona State did not look phased trailing the Badgers. They played a hard fought second period. The equalizer finally came for ASU, 14:07 into the second period.
Sun Devil freshman winger, Jordan Masters pulled the Sun Devils to even strength by slipping the puck past Wisconsin goaltender Matt Jurusik.
Jurusik posted 25 saves in his second career win.
Wisconsin would not wait long to take the lead back.
After ASU killed a power play, Wisconsin, freshman center, Seamus Malone found himself alone in the slot with the puck and was able to give the Badgers what turned out to be the game-winning goal at 17:08 in the third period.
Grant Besse and Jedd Soleway were credited for the assists.
Wisconsin took the one goal lead into the third period and managed to do something they have had trouble doing in recent history, finishing the game.
The Badgers rallied in front of Jurusik and managed to ride their one goal lead to a series sweep of Arizona State.
“We had to lean on him (Jurusik) in the third” said head coach, Mike Eaves after the game.
Eaves thought the team relying on Jurusik could be a confidence booster for the youngster, knowing that he has the ability to win the game for the team.
The freshman goalie agreed with Eave’s sentiment post game noting that getting the win was important for his confidence.
“My confidence has been growing…getting two “W’s” under the belt really solidifies things,” Jurusik said.
The penalty kill also came up big for the Badgers; killing all four penalties it faced on Saturday, which included one early in the third period.
The weekend sweep on Arizona State was the first home series sweep for the Badgers since February 21-22, 2014 when Wisconsin took a two-game series from Michigan State on home ice. The Badgers will need to take this momentum with them as they take on North Dakota next weekend in Grand Forks November 6-7.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
