MADISON, Wis. – The No. 2 Wisconsin men’s hockey team suffered a 4-1 loss to No. 4 Michigan State Friday night at the Kohl Center, marking the first time this season the Badgers have been swept in a series and lost consecutive games.
Early Deficit Proves Decisive
Michigan State (17-5-0, 8-4-0 Big Ten) seized control of the game with three goals in the first 13 minutes. Shane Vansaghi opened the scoring at 1:17, followed by a short-handed goal from Daniel Russell at 8:34, and another power-play goal from Russell at 12:42. Michigan State extended their lead to 4-0 late in the second period with a goal from Anthony Romani.
Wisconsin (15-5-2, 8-4-0 Big Ten) struggled to respond, going 0-for-5 on the power play despite several opportunities. The Badgers finally broke through with a goal from sophomore defenseman Logan Hensler with just under a minute remaining in the third period, assisted by Tyson Dyck and Ryan Botterill.
Power Play Struggles and Coaching Perspective
Despite outshooting Michigan State 31-23, Wisconsin’s inability to capitalize on the power play proved costly. Head Coach Mike Hastings acknowledged the team’s slow start and special teams failures. “We poured some gas on that fire,” Hastings said. “You don’t get off to a good start…When you’re minus-two against a quality team, you’re playing with fire.”
Sophomore goaltender Eli Pulver noted the difficulty of responding after falling behind early, while senior defenseman Ben Dexheimer emphasized the need to move forward and improve.
Looking Ahead
Wisconsin will conclude its six-game homestand next weekend, hosting Penn State on Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24. Friday’s game will stream on B1G+, while Saturday’s game will air on the Big Ten Network. It is possible the Badgers will focus on special teams adjustments in practice next week to address their power play struggles. A strong showing against Penn State could be vital to regaining momentum in the Big Ten standings. The team will also celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 2006 NCAA championship on Saturday, with former players in attendance and free t-shirts for the first 800 students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the game?
The final score was Michigan State 4, Wisconsin 1.
How many power play opportunities did Wisconsin have?
Wisconsin had five power play opportunities but was unable to convert on any of them.
When will Wisconsin play its next game?
Wisconsin will play Penn State on Friday, January 23, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, January 24, at 7:30 p.m.
What adjustments do you think the Badgers need to make to regain their winning form?
