Badgers (Finally) Survive Overtime Against Michigan

Overtime has not been kind to the Badgers in the past few years, and especially this season. Friday may not have been as kind as the Badgers may have wanted, but it is better than the alternative.

The Badgers have not won an overtime game since 2005. Last weekend the Badgers not only lost in overtime to number one Minnesota-Duluth...they did it twice. On Friday night the Badgers would again find themselves in overtime for the third straight game. This time hoping for a better outcome.

In the final Badger Hockey Showcase Wisconsin started in perhaps the worst possible way. Giving up two goals early in the first period.

Michigan's Luke Moffatt struck first after converting on a turnover behind the Badger net by Wisconsin goaltender Brett Bennett. That made the score 1-0 in the sixth minute, but just two minutes later the Wolverines would strike again.

This time it was a power-play goal by Michigan's Carl Hagelin to make the score 2-0. A score that would soon be answered by the Badgers by their own power-play goal.

Midway thru the first period Justin Schultz converted on a slap shot off of a Craig Smith assist. The Badgers weren't all the way back, but they were closer. Making the score 2-1 heading into the first intermission.

Coming out of the break the Badgers would not take long to knot the game up at two. Striking in 43 seconds Sean Dolan deflected a Jake Gardiner shot into the Michigan net. Making the score 2-2 and getting the Badgers firmly back in the game.

The Wolverines would exchange goals again in the second period. First with a goal by Michigan's Chris Brown. Then with a Badger goal by Jake Gardner. Keeping the game tied at three until Michigan found the back of the net one more time in the second.

Late in the second period Michigan's Louie Caporusso won a face-off clean, and the rest is history. Caporusso would gather the puck, and then stick it in the back of the net. Putting the Wolverines up 4-3 with just one period left to play.

Just like the second period though it would be a Wolverine lead that would be short-lived in the following period. This time in 49 seconds Gardiner found the back of the net for the second time on the night. This time coming off an assist from Mark Zengerle on the Badger power-play.

After another 19 minutes the game would remain tied at four. Sending the game into overtime. The Badgers third straight overtime game, but this time things would be different.

With another five minutes of competitive hockey both teams were unable to find the back of the net. Leaving the game with a 4-4 tie, and giving the Badgers an escape from another heart-breaking overtime loss.