GREEN BAY- The 2012-13 Wisconsin men's hockey season started exactly as last season did, with a one-goal loss to Northern Michigan.
The Wildcats downed the Badgers 2-1 Friday night at the Resch Center.
Both teams spent the first 20 minutes feeling one another out. Wisconsin out-shot NMU 10-7 in the opening period that featured no scoring.
The bulk of the second period looked to be much the same story, physical play with each team taking its turn applying pressure in the offensive zone.
Michael Mersch put UW on the board late in the second, scoring from close range on the powerplay. The 1-0 Wisconsin lead would carry into the final period.
Reed Seckel wasted no time knotting the score at 1-1, finding the twine just 18 seconds into the third. The score changed the momentum of the game.
"We made two big mistakes right off the first shift in the penalty kill," UW head coach Mike Eaves said. "We were standing with their guy and that goal kind of epitomized the third period. They outworked us on that goal and they outworked us in that third period.
"Wisconsin's a great team. It was a matter of time until we got going," Seckel said. "That first shift of the third period was huge. We just built off that."
It was a special goal for the former Green By Gambler, back in his old stomping grounds.
"I think it's great for a guy like him. It's funny, we get in the locker room he's in his old stall… he's got his Gambler's nametag on the wall," NMU head coach Walt Kyle said. "His dad's name is carved on the wall back there where they had beers when they were here. Seriously, it has to feel great for him."
Cohen Adair dealt the decisive blow with his powerplay goal with just under 11 minutes remaining in the contest.
As far as Eaves was concerned, the final 20 minutes was full of missed opportunities for his squad.
"We couldn't make a play with the puck later on," Eaves said. "We had some opportunities. We just didn't make a play in the third period."
The second time was the charm for NMU goaltender Jared Coreau, who was between the pipes when the Wildcats fell to Wisconsin last season at the Kohl Center. Coreau stopped 19 shots on the way to picking up the win.
Wisconsin netminder Joel Rumpel recorded 19 saves of his own in the loss.
The Wildcats dominated the faceoff circle, winning 31 draws to Wisconsin's 16.
Game two of the series is Saturday night. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m.
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