WI 4 DU 3 Final

(above) It was a rough weekend for the Pioneers

DU dropped the second game of the Wisconsin series 4-3. Although DU battled back from being down 3-1 to tie the game in the 3rd period, Wisconsin was able to get the game winner late in the game to get 3 big WCHA points. DU left Madison with 1 point.

Ben Street beat Marc Cheverie on a slap shot in the latter part of the 1st period to give Wisconsin a 1-0 lead. DU being out shot 15-4 as they have taken 4 penalties to the Badgers 1.

Matt Donovan scored a power play goal early in the 2nd period to tie the game at 1. Wisconsin come right back moments later on a Craig Smith goal and took a 2-1 lead. Jordy Murray scored on a wraparound almost midway through the 2nd period to give Wisconsin a 3-1 lead. Rhett Rakhshani put DU within one at about the 14 minute mark of the 2nd period.

Tyler Ruegsegger tied the game almost midway in the 3rd period on the power play. Matt Donovan had 1 goal and 2 assists in the game. Michael Davies put Wisconsin ahead 4-3 with just over 6 minutes to go in the 3rd period. Davies got the game winner.

Wisconsin outplayed DU early in the game and DU clawed their way back to tie it in the 3rd period. DU had trouble finishing around the net all night and had several chances late to tie the game.

Box Score

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

UW was the better team all weekend.....that pretty much sums it up.

achsdu17 said...

Ya DU played flat many times through out the whole series. The only time they really showed was when the game was on the line late. How we didn't get swept is beyond me.

Oh well... let's regroup from here and get ready for the street fight in the wasteland.

Twister said...

Tough weekend for the Pios. They simply weren't good enough to come away with more than 1 point, and they were fortunate to even get that. DU just couldn't sustain any momentum this weekend--had a lead on Friday and lost it, fought back tonight to tie the game but then gave up the winner. But give the Badgers credit--they are a very good team.

The DU team I see right now continues to be plagued by slow starts, inconsistent effort, and coverage in its own zone. Still a lot of hockey to play, though, and opportunities to get better.

Badger76 said...

As a Badger fan, I wasn't surprised by Friday's result at all and I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels we were also lucky to salvage a tie.
Great series nonetheless. I'm sure we'll be seeing you again in St. Paul and Detroit.

Puck Swami said...

This DU team is simply not improving right now, and ithe preparation, effort level and adjustments are not at the level where they need to be if this team has playoff aspirations.

A lackluster performance against UAA and an inconsistent performance this weekend at Madison are showing that this team is simply not getting better. They had two weeks to prepare for this series, and I think DU was unprepared for the level of 60 minute effort required to win games down the stretch. Why they came out so slowly tonight after dominating the overtime on Friday is a total mystery, and while they showed some character to come back and tie it up on Saturday, Wisconsin was full value for the three points they earned.

These last two series have been wake-up calls.

Are they hearing the bells yet?

Anonymous said...

Another tough road series next weekend...... Sorry, DU fans, be prepared for the same results next weekend in Grand Forks. Hope your 50 fans enjoyed themselves this weekend.;)

Anonymous said...

As a fan I have to think, oh well - a loss...... it happens. But I think one of 2 things better happen in the next 5 days - either DU is able to flip the switch and get thier heads straight and go into NoDak being the better team they CAN be..... or a major blizzard comes in and paralyzes the state of North Dakota and the games get posponed

vizoroo said...

We all knew the weekend was going to be tough. But the 1st period last night was simply excruciating.
We simply have not been playing 60 minutes of hockey.

Matt Donovan was the best D-man all weekend--5 points.

Aluuum said...

Come on guys, enough of this whining. I was there and saw a lot of good fast paced hockey from both teams. Maybe I'm the only one, but i also saw Wisconsin blow a few assignments and also the Pios coming back strong from 2 goals down when many teams lose their drive.
BOOK DETROIT!!

MagnessMan said...

It was a great weekend of hockey. These two games are very evenly matched which is reflected by the PWR rankings. I think DU is improving--The PP and the Kill were very strong as was the D for most of the 120 minutes. Great effort by the fourth line last night--no goals but lots of quality minutes. A tough result in the point column is the hard reality of a road series in the WCHA in the second half. Hopefully it builds and strengthen character. We all were hoping for 2 points coming up 1 short is not the end of the world by any means. UW is an offensive machine. Swamster is pessimistic that's positive. I've been tracking it and were nearly undefeated when he's dooming and glooming. :-)

Coach said...

I agree with MagnessMan and Aluuum. Going into that building and being outscored 7-6 by the nation`s #3 ranked team is not a crisis. Losing a game by one goal after going 5-0-1 against that team is not a crisis. To make it to late January and having earned at least 2 points in every previous weekend is pretty good.
I was at the games, and many Badger fans were commenting how "this was the best Wisconsin played this year," and "having to play Denver brought out the best in our team," and similar comments. Let`s face it, DU`s success in the past decade has made it a big target, and they`ll be facing big loud crowds and pumped up opponents every road weekend. I think DU`s coaching staff and players are up to the challenge and the Pioneers will be one of the last teams left when the dust clears.

Anonymous said...

Flameout.................again.........

ScottA said...

I too was in Madison this weekend. The boys only played inspired hockey for about 30 mins of 125 total...I can't speak to why...yet were only beaten 7-6 by a VERY good (and physical) Badger team. We gave away at least a half dozen open net shots in order to make one more pass. Hopefully Gwoz notes that in the film reviews...shoot the #@$! puck.