The Wisconsin Badgers offense exploded for four goals in the second period beating the Arizona State Sun Devils 5-1 at the Kohl Center Friday night. The win marked the first win of the Badgers’ season.
The name of the game in the first period was the penalty kill.
Wisconsin’s penalty kill unit was called on early when sophomore, Matt Ustaski, was called for tripping at 2:53. Shortly after killing the tripping penalty, fellow sophomore, Jason Ford was called for elbowing at 5:03 into the first period. Wisconsin’s penalty kill unit played phenomenally, however, not allowing much of anything for Arizona State.
Arizona State’s penalty kill was tested 10 minutes into the first period. Wisconsin’s power play looked dominant generating numerous scoring chances. The best two coming from Junior forward Grant Besse and freshman winger, Luke Kunin.
Despite outshooting Arizona State 16-7 the first period did not give way to any goals and the two teams started the second period locked at 0-0.
The second period brought with it plenty of goals.
Arizona State got on the board first, 12 seconds into the second period as a rebound pulled Matt Jurusik out of position and ASU’s Jordan Masters wrapped around and put the Sun Devils up 1-0.
Their lead lasted 48 seconds.
Kunin passed the puck on a two on one to a wide-open Besse who took the puck one time into the open net. Tying the game at 1-1 just one minute into the second period.
The Badgers would take the lead and never let go thanks to five foot six inch sophomore, Ryan Wagner.
Wagner scored the go-ahead goal 5:38 into the second period after crashing the net and sliding home a puck that flew across the slot from Jason Ford.
Wagner was not done, scoring 112 seconds later on the power play to put the Badgers up 3-1 6:50 into the second.
“He’s (Wagner has) got that toughness and grit,” Head Coach Mike Eaves said after the game.
Wisconsin would add one more goal before the end of the second period on the stick of Cameron Hughes.
Hughes was pulled down on a breakaway chance and was granted a penalty shot 17:06 into the second. Hughes left no doubt, beating ASU’s goalie, Ryland Pashovitz to give the badgers a 4-1 lead headed into the third period.
Pashovitz ended the game with 51 saves.
The badgers power play, which went 2-6 on the night struck again in the third period to give the Badgers a four-goal lead.
Tim Davidson finished the goal after assists from Kunin and Besse.
Matt Jurusik only faced19 shots saving 18 of them getting his first win of his Badger career.
The confidence level of this young Badger team is high after finally getting the validation that their hard work and improvement they see in practice is paying off on the ice.
“Getting a win tonight will definitely give our team a boost, get ‘em rolling a bit,” Wagner added after his two goal night.
Wisconsin looks for the sweep Saturday night at the Kohl Center as they face the same Arizona State team at 7 PM CT.
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