A Tale of Two Games: Wisconsin's Sweep of UMass

"It was the best of times...it was the worst of times." That is how Charles Dickens opens his classic book A Tale of Two Cities. It also could be the way Mike Eaves could look at the sweep against UMass. A tale of one flawless game, and a game that could be sloppy at best.

Thursday night the Badgers not only beat the Minutemen...they dominated. With a 5-1 victory the Badgers saw goals early in the first period from Patrick Johnson, and Podge Turnbull. But that would not be the last UMass would hear from Turnbull.

In the second period the Badgers would open with a goal by Ryan Little in the third minute. That would give the Badgers a 3-0 lead until the Minutemen finally got on the board. With a goal by T.J. Syner that would bring the score to 3-1, but it would be the last and only goal for UMass.

Wisconsin would tack on two more goals in the second period. The final goal coming from Turnbull making the score 5-1, and putting a Badger victory on ice...literally.

On Friday night things would be a little more sloppy, and a little more chippy. A game loaded with pushing, shoving, and even a little fighting.

In what could be considered a controversial call UMass goaltender Paul Dainton got the hook along with Wisconsin's Mark Zengerle for a fight late in the first period. Bringing in a cold goaltender for the Minutemen to start the second period. Something that would perhaps come back to haunt them later in that period.

In the first period the Minutemen had struck first with the only goal of the period off the stick of Brenden Gracel. After his teammate Adam Phillips snapped his stick in half on the original shot...the shot that resulted in a rebound goal for the Minutemen. Giving them a 1-0 lead heading into the first break.

After the first intermission the official penalties were handed out for the late scuffle. Putting on goaltender in the locker room, and the other between the pipes.

With Jeff Tegila in the net for UMass the Badgers would capitalize midway through the second period. First from Craig Smith's tenth goal of the season, and then another goal from Podge Turnbull just 33 seconds later. Giving the Badgers a 2-1 lead, and Turnbull his eighth goal against UMass.

Despite being out-shot on Friday night, and at times looking sluggish as well as sloppy the Badgers were able to put two more pucks in the net in the third. Giving them a 4-1 lead late in the final period. Until the Minutemen would add one final goal in the closing minute, but it would be too little to late.

In a game that was filled with penalties, and sloppy play the Badgers closed out the series with UMass with a 4-2 win. Giving them their 12th win of the season, and once again showing the inconsistency of this team. A team that one night looks like a championship team...the other nights a team that leaves you scratching your head. But this time with a victory none the less.