Penalty kill propels Badgers past Omaha

Two-goal second period the difference in Wisconsin’s victory

OMAHA, Neb. – Defense was on display in Omaha Friday night as the No. 12 Badgers (5-4-0, 0-2-0-0 Big Ten) killed six of seven power-play attempts from the No. 20 Omaha Mavericks (4-2-1, 0-0-0-0 NCHC) en route to a 5-2 win at Baxter Arena.

Goals from Ty Pelton-Byce in the first alongside Alex Turcotte and Roman Ahcan’s goals in the second were too much to handle as the Maverick offense had no response to sophomore goalie Daniel Lebedeff’s 27-save night.

The Mavericks started out the second period on a power play and had a five-minute power play towards the end of the second, but Omaha was unable to capitalize. Turcotte’s goal came during the interrupted major power play when Omaha was called for a minor and the freshman scored four-on-four.

Empty-net goals by Ahcan and Sean Dhooghe sealed the deal for Wisconsin in the third.

The Badgers failed on their six power-play attempts.

Notes to know:

• The Badgers improved to 5-2 in non-conference action this season, including 3-0-0 against the NCHC.
• Wisconsin won the face off battle with Omaha in each of the three periods going 31-22 overall
• Freshman Mike Vorlicky scores his first point as a Badger with an assist.

Up next: Wisconsin will stay in Omaha for round two with the Mavericks tomorrow. Puck drop is at 7 p.m.