MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin men’s hockey team and No. 3 Ohio State battled to a 1-1 tie after regulation during Friday night’s Face Off Against Cancer game at the Kohl Center, but the Buckeyes scored with just under 10 seconds remaining in the first overtime to rally past the Badgers.
Freshman forward Mick Messner scored the Badgers’ (9-13-5, 5-7-5-2 B1G) lone goal at the 2:28 mark of the second period to take a one-goal lead heading into the third frame, but Ohio State (18-5-4, 11-3-3-2 B1G) converted on the power play at the 8:48 mark to even the score.
OSU’s Matt Miller scored with 10 seconds remaining in the first overtime period to earn a 2-1 win over the Badgers.
Freshman goaltender Daniel Lebedeff was sensational in the net for Wisconsin, stopping 24 shots, including 14 in the third period.
Notes to Know:
- Rookie forward Mick Messner has three goals in the last five games. Freshmen skaters have accounted for 13 of the Badgers’ 21 goals scored in the past eight games.
- The Badgers recorded 26 blocks in Friday’s loss.
- Former Badgers assistant coach Grant Standbrook was honored for his contributions to Wisconsin hockey Friday, dropping a ceremonial puck at the prior to the game.
Straight from the Rink
Head Coach Tony Granato
On having tough losses throughout the season:
“It’s been pretty consistent. We’ve been in lots of positions to win games and close games out and we haven’t been able to do it. We’re not good enough yet to be able to do that. The only thing we can do is to learn from the experiences and keep battling to figure out how to be able to do that and we need to make more plays. We’re right there, we just haven’t been able to take advantage of it. I think we’re good enough. It’s pretty obvious that we can play with anybody, we’ve just got to figure out how to turn it into the results we need to be successful as a team.”
On Daniel Lebedeff’s performance:
“He played great. It’s really hard for Daniel after those first two periods, he didn’t have much action and then all of a sudden in the third they had those power plays and started generating some offense. He made a couple of really good saves in the second period to get himself into the game. After that, I thought he played really, really well.”
Senior forward Seamus Malone
On Friday’s overtime loss to Ohio State:
“I think we had control of that game. We had a chance to take control and dominate, but we didn’t take advantage. They played a good third period and we didn’t play a full 60. They won those close battles that got them a power play, and they capitalized on it.”
On what the team could do better on the power play to get more opportunities:
“I think we just have to be more precise with our passes, our little details. There were too many passes that we missed and that gave their PK a chance to kill time off. We know what we need to do, we just can’t execute. We need to start executing, simple as that.”
Freshman goaltender Daniel Lebedeff
On playing well during the game, but not being able to take the win:
“It’s always tough, you always hope to win. Today, I think that Ohio State had a couple of lucky bounces and got it to the back of the net. Overall, our effort helped me to play this well today. You have to give a lot of credit to our defensive core, who blocked at least 20 shots for me today.”
Freshman forward Mick Messner
On his recent scoring streak:
“I think just going to the net, and also being able to play with Zimmer and Freytag, we’ve got a pretty good line combination. When you combine that with everybody going to the net and getting pucks there, those end up getting to the back of the net.”
Up Next: The Badgers and the Buckeyes close out their series Saturday night at the Kohl Center at 7 p.m. (CT). In addition, Wisconsin will celebrate Mark Johnson by retiring his jersey prior to the start of the game. Fans attending Saturday’s contest are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. (CT).
