Hometown Badgers Split with Defending Champs

This past weekend, the Badgers faced off against defending WCCHA champions, St. Thomas. Last season, the Tommies swept the Badgers with scores of 7-4 and 5-2. This year, the Badgers looked to return the favor.

Game one was a gritty match up with both teams coming out of the gates strong. While there were some chances for both sides, the teams headed to the first intermission locked at 0-0. That wouldn't last long going into the second, however, as Schammel tucked in the game's first goal after a hard forecheck by Storck and Schwehr; 1-0 Badgers. Shortly after that, Storck had some magic of his own, leaving the goalie's jock hanging from the rafters making it 2-0; Schammel and Schwehr had the assists. Later in the period, that same prolific line would score once again as Schwehr rifled one top cheddar off the Storck forced turnover. After 2 missed calls by the referees, the Tommies would sneak one past Schreiter to break the shutout, making it 3-1 Badgers. About halfway through the third, at the end of a penalty killing effort, the Tommies would score again making it 3-2. A short while later, while killing, Gentges passed to Schammel who passed to Storck who put it bar down for the short handed snipe; 4-2 good guys. Tyler Schreiter came up with a huge stop late in the kill to keep it that way. Then, Schwehr worked his usual magic as he dodged not one, but two St. Thomas hit attempts to tuck it home making it 5-2. John Simon would add another from Nunn and Gehrke to make it 6-2 about 15 seconds later. After things got a little chippy, the Badgers secured the win 6-2 to take the series opener and improve to 9-0 on the year.

Game two was a different story. With last night still looming in their minds, the Tommies looked to right the ship. They jumped out to a quick 0-3 lead to start the first. Late in the period, the Badgers finally capitalize on a power play as Hylbert tucked it five hole from John Simon and Breitnauer to make it 1-3. Early in the second, Friedow was sent to the box on a questionable holding call. St. Thomas made the most of their power play as they tipped one passed Goss to make it 1-4. In the third period, the Badgers looked to bounce back. Delaney scored on the power play off passes from Hylbert and Schwehr to close the gap to 2. With 4:13 to play, the Badgers pulled Goss and looked to even the score, but a weak hooking call on John Simon would end the 6 on 5, putting the Badgers on the kill with 3:51 to play. After killing the penalty, Goss was pulled again with 1:51 to go. There were some more good chances but none would make it to the back of the net. The Tommies took the 2-4 victory, splitting the series.

Now at 9-1 on the year, the Badgers look to bounce back with another series sweep against another SE Div opponent in UW - La Crosse. The boys will be on the road for the first time this year for that series. Keep an eye out for more updates on Twitter! #PursuingDestiny