The Kohl Center welcomed Head Coach Tony Granato and the Wisconsin Badgers home Friday night with a win, as the men’s hockey team used their special teams to take down the sixth ranked Boston College Eagles 3-1 in the team’s home opener.
Granato, who took over as the head coach of the Badgers after the firing of Mike Eaves this past summer, started his career at home with a win.
Coming into the game the Badgers (2-1-0) had scored eight goals in the first two games. Five of those eight had come on their power play.
This trend would continue.
The Badgers power play produced in the first period with senior assistant captain, Grant Besse scoring his first goal of the year 4:27 into the game.
Besse who received a pass in the slot from junior Cameron Hughes followed up his own rebound to put the Badgers up 1-0 in the first period. Jake Linhart was credited with the other assist.
Watch: Grant Besse bangs in a rebound to give UW the early lead. 13:18 left to go in the first frame. pic.twitter.com/2QwBqcpsNX
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 15, 2016
The second goal also came from Wisconsin’s power play unit, this time late in the second period.
Corbin McGuire, who was named one of the Big Ten’s Three Stars of the Week last week, drew two penalties on Boston College in one play with under two minutes to play in the second period giving the Badgers a 5 on 3 man advantage.
Wisconsin’s second power play unit took advantage and Ryan Wagner cleaned up his own shot to put the Badgers up 2-0 with just 12.7 seconds left in the period.
The goal was Wagner’s first of the year and the seventh power play goal of the season for the Badgers. Tim Davidson and Seamus Malone were credited for the assists.
It wasn’t all offensive special teams getting it done for the Badgers who relied heavily on their penalty kill unit.
The Badgers faced six penalty kills, coming up with great team defense and killing of every single one of them.
“The (penalty kill) guys made big strides this week,” Granato said, “I think that it transitioned over to tonight well.”
Sophomore goaltender Matt Jurusik had a solid night in net as well, backing up his defense with 29 saves in the win.
“He (Jurusik) really looked composed today”, said Granato, “whenever they gained momentum or had a big chance, he was there to shut them down.”
The Badgers would add a third goal courtesy of Seamus Malone in the third to give the Badgers a three-goal lead. The sophomore crashed the net hard and was able to put the puck top shelf on Boston College’s goalie, Joe Woll. The goal was reviewed but it stood.
Woll had 31 saves in a losing effort for Boston College.
The extra cushion was short-lived, however as Boston College’s JD Dudek scored just 12 seconds later to cut the Badgers lead to 3-1 with just over ten minutes to play in the game.
The Wisconsin defense buckled down in the last ten minutes, however, locking up Boston College and securing the 3-1 win for the Badgers.
The Badgers (2-1-0) take the day off on Saturday then are back at it looking for the sweep against Boston College (1-2-0) Sunday 3 PM CT at the Kohl Center.
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