1st Intermission Report

The Badgers came out fast against RIT in the first period. When I mean fast I mean outside the scoreboard as well.
RIT looks to be over-matched in terms of speed against the Badgers. Bucky is getting to loose pucks faster than the Tigers, and the breaks by RIT are quickly matched by Wisconsin.
The Badgers also looked to put the Tigers in a hole early in this one. In the first two minutes of the game John Mitchell put the Badgers ahead with a quick one. Then eight minutes later Derek Stepan tipped a Ryan McDonaugh shot in the net, and just like that Wisconsin takes a two goal lead into the locker room.
In terms of shots, the Badgers out-shot the Tigers 10 to 6 in the first period. Last week we pointed to the fact that Scott Gudmandson needed to be the key to Wisconsin's success and so far he has been that. The Wisconsin defense is also helping Gudmandson by blocking opportunities for the Tigers. Not to mention the power play that Wisconsin killed by not allowing RIT a single shot on goal.
Gudmandson's counterpart is, despite the score, making some great saves. In last weeks blog I said it would be imperative to keep RIT off the scoreboard because of their great goal-tending. So far, Wisconsin has done that and they have forced a goaltender that only gave up three goals in the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament to give up two in just one period.
Wisconsin in the second period will look to keep the pressure up on RIT, and look to add to the advantage. Another key aspect of the remainder of the game will be Blake Geoffrion who was seen limping off the ice towards the end of the period. The question of how he will respond, or how injured he is will be answered in the second period. If Wisconsin continues to play the way they have in the first period, they will be playing on Saturday.