Badgers Split Weekend in Duluth

In the first series with Minnesota-Duluth this season the Badgers struggled to find a way to finish off the Bulldogs. Forcing back-to-back overtimes, but falling in the extra session to the Bulldogs.

Friday night seemed to be a little bit more of the same for the Badgers when it comes to playing the Bulldogs. Mainly being unable to find goals early and often; or at all on Friday.

The performance by junior goaltender Kenny Reiter on Friday would be considered flawless by many. Turning away all 21 shots the Badgers threw at him, and leading the Bulldogs to a 2-0 victory in the series opener.

Saturday would be a different story for the Reiter and the Bulldogs...

The Badgers would come out strong on Saturday night against the Bulldogs. Scoring two goals on sixteen shots in the first period, and then tacking on one more early in the second.

Justin Schultz opened up the scoring in the first period off of an assist by Craig Smith. Then Podge Turnbull added to his goal total later in the period giving the Badgers a 2-0 lead. A lead that would be added to by Smith in the second period with another goal.

Heading into the third period the Badgers would lead 3-0, but there would be no opportunities to add onto the lead. Mainly because the Badgers would have no shots on goal in the final period.

Falling back on the goaltending of senior goaltender Scott Gudmandson would be key in the final period. Especially after the Bulldogs would find their stride in the final two minutes by scoring two goals.

But the surge by Minnesota-Duluth would not be enough to come back against the Badgers. As Wisconsin picked up a big victory, and only their second against a team with a winning record this season. Not to mention earning a series split against the number five Bulldogs on the road with a 3-2 victory.