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Badgers Bounce Back After OT Loss
This past weekend marked the start of the 2022-23 campaign for the Badgers. The visiting Falcons of BGSU proved to be a good test for the opening weekend as the Badgers looked to build chemistry between rookies and vets.
Game one was Friday night at the Shell. A sluggish start offensively made way for a decent defensive effort and stellar performance for rookie goaltender, Jake Levy. Both teams were knotted at 0-0 after the first period. As the game approached the halfway point, BGSU would notch the first goal of the weekend, giving the Falcons a 0-1 lead.
Another tough offensive period of hockey would give the Badgers a small hole to climb out of come the third. On the powerplay nearing the final 10 minutes of play, the Falcons would score again, extending their lead to 0-2. Suddenly the hole was beginning to expand for the home team. However, the Badgers didn't quit! Mikey Perea would open the scoring for the Badgers with 6:17 to go with a rifle of a slap shot from the left circle! 1-2 bad guys. Just over a minute and a half later, Travis Kernen got his first of the year tying the game at 2-2! And you could say it was a flurry of goals as Jordan Gachman gave the Badgers the lead with 4:16 to go in the period! A couple of penalties would give the Falcons a 4 on 3 power play late in the period though. The Falcons were able to capitalize on the opportunity, tying the game with 3:21 to play.
60 minutes wasn't enough for both teams as we headed to overtime. After a few good chances for the Badgers, the Falcons would catch a lucky break as the puck skipped over a Badger stick after an errant shot from a Falcon, leading to a tap in OT winner for the visitors. Badgers would fall in game one by a final of 3-4 in OT.
Looking to bounce back in a big way, the Badgers prepared for game two at Verona Ice Arena on Saturday. Rookie goaltender Joe Berg was between the pipes for the Badgers. The offense apparently pulled an all-nighter as both teams would get on the board in the first. Jake Feldt opened the scoring for the Badgers giving the good guys a 1-0 lead early in the period. The Falcons would answer right back though with a breakaway goal and a lucky rebound. That margin would hold for the first period as the Falcons took a 1-2 lead into intermission.
The teams would continue their offensive pressures into the second. The Badgers blue line would provide a majority of the scoring in the second! Trace Tompkins and Ian Barbour both scored in the second bringing the Badgers goal total to 3 for the contest. The Falcons would add a late goal of their own sending both teams to the second intermission in a 3-3 tie. The Badgers weren't looking for another tie.
Travis Kernen scored late in the third on the power play giving the Badgers a 4-3 lead! Rookie defenseman Nick Johnson added the empty netter to seal the win for the Badgers! 5-3 was the final.
Next week, the Badgers welcome the Huskies of Michigan Tech to Madison for a two game series. Both games are at the Shell - 8:30pm Friday and 11:00am Saturday! A word of warning for those attending the game on Friday, there is a volleyball game at the fieldhouse at 7:00pm. Parking may be a challenge but we're excited to have you in attendance to support the boys! The best place to park would be the engineering ramp located behind the Shell.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the rink! As always, Go Badgers!
