The Wisconsin Badgers Men’s hockey team battled with Ohio State Friday night at the Kohl Center but a two goal third period for the Buckeyes would be enough to beat Wisconsin on their home ice by a score of 2-0.
It took over forty minutes for either team to light the lamp, but the intensity level was high for both teams, especially in the second period.
Despite Ohio State having a pair of man-advantages in the first two periods, it was the Badgers who dominated play and had the best scoring chances of the second period.
Eddie Wittchow found himself on not one but two odd man rush breakaways. The defenseman elected to take the shot himself each time despite being joined by Ryan Wagner and Grant Besse respectively.
Wisconsin senior defenseman Kevin Schulze had a wide open net half way through the second period but just pushed the puck wide of Christian Frey, Ohio State’s goaltender, and the Buckeye net.
Freshman Will Johnson had the closest chance at a goal for the Badgers in the first two periods of play.
Johnson stole the puck right in front of OSU’s net and fired a puck that bounced off Frey’s stick in the air and landed behind Frey but was deemed, after a review, that it did not in fact cross the goal line.
Freshman goalie, Matt Jurusik stopped all 15 shots he faced for Wisconsin in the first two periods.
The first game of 2016 for the Badgers and Buckeyes would be decided in the third and final period.
It was there, in the third period, where the Buckeyes took over. Ohio State first goal came with just 11:07 left in the third and final period.
David Gust took the puck in the slot past Matt Juruisk to put the Buckeyes up 1-0. Kevin Schulze lost Gust and gave him too much space in the slot and he tucked it home with ease.
Ohio State kept their foot on the gas late into the third and added the dagger with only 4:01 left in the third with Tyler Lunde finishing off a three on one chance. It was Lunde’s third goal in three games including the game-tying goal against number 4 ranked Boston College.
Besse and the Badgers did not give up fighting throwing multiple shots at Christian Frey with Matt Jurusik pulled with two minutes left in the game. The offense just could not get anything past the junior goalie for OSU. Frey posted 26 saves in the win.
Wisconsin played well, despite the loss. The team showed good fight and frankly got pretty unlucky with some pucks not falling on the offensive end and weak goals going in for Ohio State on the opposite end of the ice.
Adding insult to injury, Cameron Hughes, the first line center did not finish the game. He has had trouble staying healthy in the past and is something the Badgers will have to keep an eye on as they take on the same Ohio State team 7 pm Saturday night at the Kohl Center.
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