Seniors Exit On Top

The past few weeks have been rough for the Wisconsin men's hockey team to say the least. Coming off of a seven game winless streak the only thing that was left to play for on Saturday night against Colorado College would be a win for the seniors.

Friday nights loss assured that Saturday night would be the last time the group of six seniors would step on the ice at the Kohl Center. At the end of the night they would step off the ice winners....a welcomed change after the past three weeks.

The first period was an exact replica of the night before with neither team finding the back of the net, but the second period would prove to be the best Wisconsin had played in weeks.

One of the areas that the Badgers had struggled during their seven game slide was on the power play. At one time the Badgers were one of the best power plays in the country, but on Friday night it would be the power play kill that would strike.

On a Colorado College power play Craig Smith took the puck to the offensive zone, and then found the back of the net. After the puck snuck under Colorado College goaltender Josh Thorimbert. Resulting in the Badgers first goal, and lead of the game at 1-0. A lead that would hold up heading into the third and final period.

Especially after another goal by the Badgers, but this time by senior Patrick Johnson. A senior who is more well known for being the son of Wisconsin legend, and current women's coach, Mark Johnson. The result would be Johnson's last goal at the Kohl Center, and the second of the game for the Badgers in the second period.

So far this season a lead by the Badgers heading into the third period was as good as gold. With the Badgers going unbeaten when leading at the second intermission. A trend that would hold up yet again on senior night.

Another Badger that had a solid senior night was goaltender Scott Gudmandson who up until the third period was holding a shutout. That is until some bad luck struck the Badgers when a "shot" by Colorado College's Archie Skallbeck found the back of the net after a pass found the skate of a Wisconsin defensman. Resulting in the end of Gudmandson's senior night shutout, but Gudmandson would find a new way to make personal history.

In four years as a Badger Gudmandson had never earned a point. Which means he has never had a goal (obviously) or an assist. That is until the third period on Saturday night.

On a Wisconsin power play Justin Schultz score the third goal of the game for the Badgers, but Gudmandson received credit for an assist on the play. Resulting in Gudmandson's first point as a Badger...in his last home game in Cardinal and White.

The third and final goal would prove to be the nail in the coffin for the Tigers, and the Badgers would send off the seniors with one last win. Not to mention snapping the seven game winless streak with the 3-1 victory over Colorado College.