The Wolverines led 4-2 in the second period before everything went downhill. Too many penalties, too many shots allowed and an overall sloppy effort cost Michigan hockey crucial points in the Big Ten at Wisconsin:
Some bad puck luck, 46 shots allowed, six penalties and a head-scratching defensive performance culminated in the No. 10 Michigan Wolverines (14-10-1, 8-7 B1G) falling 5-4 to the Wisconsin Badgers (11-12-2, 6-9 B1G) Friday night.
It was a dream start for Michigan, as former Badger and current Wolverine Will Whitelaw wasted no time in his return to Madison. Not even two minutes after puck drop, Whitelaw got the scoring underway with a wicked wrist shot from the left circle.
The Kohl Center crowd was quieted for a moment, but after a stretch of icings, a TJ Hughes retaliatory penalty and an Ethan Edwards interference call, Wisconsin eventually leveled the score halfway through the first period.
It was a particularly disappointing response to the opening goal, considering head coach Brandon Naurato stressed the importance of staying out of the penalty box pregame.
Nearly a minute later, the Badgers struck again. This time it was future NHLer Logan Hensler ripping an uncontested shot past goaltender Cameron Korpi. Korpi probably could have saved that one, but he is not to fault for the five goals allowed. He made several ridiculous saves, including a sprawling, left-arm robbery on the first penalty kill.
Ultimately, his team did him no favors.
The frenetic pace continued as the third-youngest player in college hockey, Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen, scored his second career goal, sniping a Jackson Hallum feed from the slot. The play was reviewed for goaltender interference, but much to the dismay of the Wisconsin faithful, the goal was upheld.
And that was just the first 20 minutes.
The start of the second period was relatively tame, but nearly 10 minutes in more chaos ensued. First, the Badgers shot a puck on net way after the whistle. Tyler Duke — rightfully so — retaliated and the referees rewarded the Wolverines with a power play.
Some slick passing and rebound hunting around the net led to a TJ Hughes goal, giving Michigan a 3-2 lead.
Shortly thereafter, Ethan Edwards tickled the twine on a backhand feed from Nick Moldenhauer. It was the sophomore forward’s first game since Jan. 5 and his first point since Nov. 30. If the now-healthy Moldenhauer can get going offensively, he will be a huge piece down the stretch.
Whatever Naurato said during the intermission paid dividends, as the Wolverines played a highly structured, smart first 15 minutes of the third period. It looked in control of the 4-3 lead and appeared to have the victory secured.
That is, until a complete collapse in the final minutes.
First, a loose puck in front of Korpi snuck in to tie the game. Wisconsin drove hard to the crease, and the puck trickled in off the skate of a Wolverine defenseman.
Then, minutes later, the Badgers struck again. A shot that was well wide of the net hit off Jacob Truscott and past Korpi for the deciding tally.
It was a devastating loss and an incomprehensible final push from Michigan. The Wolverines couldn’t clear the puck, couldn’t grab rebounds and ultimately did not deserve to win.
Though unranked Wisconsin is better than its record (No. 17 via PairWise ), this was one of those losses that simply cannot happen. Michigan will need a gutting film session and a much sharper effort Saturday night to avoid the sweep.