Michigan
9-4-1
Wisconsin
10-4-0
Michigan Falls at Wisconsin, Swept in College Showcase
11/27/2004 12:00:00 AM | Ice Hockey
MADISON, Wis. -- The No. 1-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team lost a 3-1 decision to No. 2 Wisconsin at the Kohl Center on Saturday (Nov. 27). Coupled with last night's 5-1 defeat at Minnesota, the Wolverines have been swept in the College Hockey Showcase for the second straight year. Chad Kolarik (Abington, Pa.) scored U-M's lone goal.
Michigan earned the first power play of the game just 42 seconds into the contest but could not get the early advantage on the Badgers.
The Maize and Blue then took three straight penalties at 4:41, 5:57 and 7:48 to give the Badgers more than five consecutive minutes of power-play time, including 54 seconds with a five-on-three advantage. Goaltender Al Montoya (Glenview, Ill.) made numerous stops during the stretch, including a great pad-stacking save on Ross Carlson on the left side.
Wisconsin opened the scoring in the contest at 12:56 when Jake Dowell tapped the puck between Montoya's pads from in front. Following a faceoff scramble in the Michigan defensive zone, Nick Licari stole the puck from U-M and fed Dowell down low.
Montoya prevented the deficit from increasing when he stopped Licari on a breakaway attempt with under two minutes left in the first period. Less than 30 seconds later at 18:41, the Wolverines countered and Kolarik beat Bruckler low to the far side while skating down the right wing. Jeff Tambellini (Port Moody, B.C.) assisted on the play by banging a pass off the boards to Kolarik, who was streaking through the UW zone.
Although Michigan had back-to-back power plays to begin the second period the Wolverines were unable to take the lead. On their fifth power play of the game the Badgers finally converted at 11:10 when Adam Burish cut down the middle and one-timed a pass by Jeff Likens over Montoya to make it 2-1.
While the Maize and Blue was on the man-advantage late in the stanza Wisconsin's Andrew Joudry scored shorthanded to make it 3-1. Joudry took advantage of U-M having five forwards on the ice by skating easily over the blue line and firing a shot over Montoya's trapper at 17:20.
The Michigan offense could not manage a comeback in the third period of play as the Wisconsin defense clamped down to preserve its victory.
The Wolverines return to CCHA play next weekend when they play a home-and-home series against Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish travel to Ann Arbor for a 7:35 p.m. faceoff on Friday (Dec. 3). The second game will take place in South Bend, Ind., on Saturday (Dec. 4) and will start at 7:05 p.m.
Contact: Matt Trevor (734) 763-4423
