Badgers Get Tripped Up in Overtime...Literally

A week ago the Badgers were licking their wounds after taking a beating at the hands of WCHA favorite North Dakota. This week would not be any easier. If not harder with the number one Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs coming to the Kohl Center. Then add in two tough overtime losses, and you have one tough weekend to be a Badger.

Friday night the Bulldogs would strike first in the opening period, but the Badgers would strike often. Following a Bulldog goal by Mike Siedel the Badgers would answer with three of their own.

First it would be Wisconsin captain Sean Dollan capitalizing off of an assist by Justin Schultz to tie the game at one. Tyler Barnes would break that tie for the Badgers off of a face off in the Minnesota-Duluth zone making the score 2-1 in favor of Wisconsin. Then just before the intermission Craig Smith punched one in off of a Jordy Murray assist. Giving the Badgers a 3-1 lead at the first intermission.

Coming into the second period everything seemed to be going right for the Badgers against the top ranked Bulldogs. Wisconsin had rallied to take a two goal lead, and appeared to have all the momentum heading back on the ice for the second. Momentum that would soon belong to the Bulldogs.

In the second period Minnesota-Duluth would score four unanswered goals that would stretch the Bulldogs out to a 5-3 lead. Three of the goals would come against senior goaltender Scott Gudmandson before he would be pulled from the game. His replacement Brett Bennett would not have an easier task. Giving up a goal of his own on the first shot by Minnesota-Duluth.

Jordy Murray would strike right before the end of the period getting the Badgers a little closer before the third period. Then late in the third period after Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves pulled his goaltender the Badgers struck with just 44 seconds left on the clock. John Ramage would find Craig Smith for the shot. That would be deflected by Tyler Barnes for his second goal of the night. Moving the game to a five minute overtime. Something that has not been kind to the Badgers.

Wisconsin has not won an overtime game since 2005, and have already lost one in the extra time this season.

Late in overtime it was beginning to look as if the Badgers would not get the monkey off their back in terms of winning an overtime. Instead Wisconsin would lose as a result of a controversial no call late in overtime.

With just seconds left a Wisconsin defenseman was tripped by Minnesota-Duluth's Jack Connelly resulting in a turnover in the Badgers' defensive zone. Travis Oleksuk would take the loose puck and sneak it by Bennett resulting the game winning goal.

The referees would review the play, but could not reverse the goal. Despite the missed tripping call, and the play possibly being offsides as well. The Badgers would lose 6-5.