Spartans defense stymies Badgers
Wisconsin shutout for second time this season
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The No. 19 Wisconsin hockey (7-9-1, 2-6-1-1) dropped the opening game of their series to the Michigan State Spartans, 3-0, behind the Spartans’ senior goaltender John Lethemon.
Wisconsin shutout for the second time this season thanks to a sparkling 41 save game from the Michigan State (7-7-1, 5-3-1-0).
The Badgers put up 41 shots, and produced numerous chances, but failed to find the net. Three point-blank chances by Alex Turcotte, a breakaway by Sean Dhooghe, point-blank chance by Linus Weissbach and a pair of posts hit on the same shift by Cole Caufield produced no goals. The Spartans fired 36 shots.
The combination of sophomore goalie Daniel Lebedeff and senior goalie Jack Berry recorded 33 saves on the night with all of the Spartans goals coming coming before the end of the second period. Berry started the third period and held Michigan State scoreless on 10 shots.
Notes to know:
- Badgers killed three Spartan power-plays in the loss.
- Junior captain Wyatt Kalynuk led the Badger offense with seven shots on goal followed by Tarek Baker with five.
Straight from the rink:
Head Coach Tony Granato:
“We created enough chances to win they just didn’t go in. We have to keep fighting through and get back at it again tomorrow.”
Up next:Â The Badger will go for the series split tomorrow in East Lansing, taking on the Spartans in game two. Puck drop is at 6 p.m. Fans can stream the game BTN+ or with a radio broadcast available on 1310 WTSO.