In a thrilling encounter on Friday night, the Wisconsin Badgers overcame the No. 1 Michigan State Spartans with a narrow 5-4 victory at Munn Ice Arena. This match marked a significant moment for the seventh-ranked Badgers, as they managed to end Michigan State’s impressive nine-game winning streak.
Game Recap
The Spartans initially took control of the game, scoring their first goal eight minutes into the opening period. Porter Martone capitalized on a failed clear, passing to Daniel Russel, who finished to give Michigan State a 1-0 lead. They extended their advantage to 2-0 with a power-play goal at 12:26.
Wisconsin responded dramatically in the second period, notching four goals to swing the momentum. The first score came just over a minute into the period when Christian Fitzgerald converted on the power play. Blake Montgomery followed suit, scoring at 4:11 to level the game. Soon after, Adam Pietila netted Wisconsin’s third goal at 11:19, and Tyson Dyck capped the impressive second period with a goal at 15:55.
Key Players and Scores
- Christian Fitzgerald: 1 goal, 1 power-play goal (7th of the season)
- Blake Montgomery: 1 goal (6th of the season)
- Adam Pietila: 1 goal (2nd of the season)
- Tyson Dyck: 1 goal (1st of the season)
- Ryan Botterill: GWG at 9:50 of the third period
Despite Wisconsin’s 4-2 lead entering the final period, Michigan State wasn’t finished. Ryker Lee narrowed the gap to 4-3 with a goal at 9:34. However, just 16 seconds later, Botterill restored the two-goal cushion for the Badgers. The Spartans fought back, with Martone scoring again at 10:24, bringing the final score to 5-4. Wisconsin held firm for the victory, marking a notable achievement in their season.
Statistics and Facts
- Wisconsin’s Record: 9-2-2 overall, 5-2-0 in Big Ten play
- Michigan State’s Record: 9-2-0 overall, 4-1-0 in Big Ten play
- Shots on Goal: Michigan State 34, Wisconsin 39
- Power Play: Wisconsin 1-for-2, Michigan State 0-for-1
Upcoming Matches
The Badgers will continue their series against Michigan State on Saturday, November 22. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. CT, and will be available for streaming on B1G+. Fans can also tune in for audio play-by-play on 1070 The Game, through the Badgers app, and the Varsity Network app.
Wisconsin’s victory not only broke Michigan State’s streak but also demonstrated the resilience and skill of their team. As they prepare for the next matchup, the Badgers will strive to maintain momentum and build on their recent success.
