(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON – Michigan State (17-5-0, 8-4-0 Big Ten – 24 points) got off to a quick start, tallying three goals in the first period: one even strength, another short-handed and a third on the power play. It extended its lead late in the second period to take a 4-0 advantage heading into the final frame. Wisconsin (15-5-2, 8-4-0 Big Ten – 22 points) got on the board with a tally from Logan Hensler in the final minute of the third frame to stop MSU goaltender Trey Augustine’s shutout bid as UW fell, 4-1.
How it Happened
First Period
The Spartans opened the scoring, 1:17 into the game, with a goal from Shane Vansaghi.
Wisconsin got the first power play exactly eight minutes into the period, but Michigan State’s Daniel Russell tallied a short-handed goal at 8:34. capitalizing on a 2-on-1 rush into the UW zone.
At 12:42, MSU scored once again when Russell notched his second of the evening, this time on the power play, to make it 3-0.
The Badgers were awarded another power play with 1:50 left in the first, but it was unable to convert on any scoring chances to get on the board.
Second Period
Wisconsin had two power plays in the opening 10 minutes of the second, but still could not find a way to break past MSU netminder Augustine.
Michigan State got its second chance on the power play, 12:13 into the second, but Wisconsin got the kill.
At 16:46, MSU added onto their total on a deflection from Anthony Romani to give the Spartans a 4-0 advantage heading into the final frame.
Third Period
The third period was quiet until 17:07, when Wisconsin earned its fifth power play of the game.
Just after the power play expired, at 19:11, sophomore defenseman Hensler got the Badgers on the board with a shot from the point for the final 4-1 score.
Wisconsin went 0-for-5 on the power play and 2-for-3 on the penalty kill. UW finished the contest with a 31-23 advantage in shots on goal.
Notes to know
-This marks the first time Wisconsin has been swept this season. It’s also the first time it’s lost back-to-back games this year
– The crowd of 12,114 marked a season high at the Kohl Center.
Up Next: The Badgers wrap up their six-game homestand when Penn State comes to town on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 23-24. Friday’s game starts at 7 p.m. and streams on B1G+, while Saturday’s game begins at 7:30 p.m.
