pal@crystal.ARPA (01/05/84)
Tuesday: Wisconsin 2 N.Michigan 1 Wednesday 5 N.Michigan 4(o.t.) Wisconsin made hard work of this series, although credit for much of that must go to a Hard-working N.Michigan team. They checked hard to slow up the Badger wingers breaking out, cleared out in front of the net, and usually got the second man into the corners before Wisconsin. Saturday's game was the more interesting. The first period was about even, with the edge to Wisconsin. However, a short-handed goal by N.Michigan gave them a 1-0 advantage. Wisconsin had some brilliant spells in the second period, but great goaltending by Poeschl and some unbelievable misses by the Badgers, coupled with good breakaways by the Wildcats, resulted in them taking a 4-1 lead. Wisconsin cut it to 4-2 soon after, and there the period ended. The badgers attempted an incredible 42 shots in this period, to only 14 for the Wildcats. However, many of the shots were from the blue line and beyond. Wisconsin started the third period on a power play and had good pressure, but failed to convert. Later Dave Maley scooped the puck over from about five feet out of an open net, and Houston just failed to tip in a pass through the crease. With five minutes left and Northern leading by 4-2, the Wildcats went on the power play. However, the Badgres killed it off effectively and went on the power play themselves with about 2:30 remaining. John Johannson scored with 2:10 left, and Jan-Ake Danielson charged down the slot to fire home a pass from behind the net to tie it up with a minute remaining, with Baxter still on the ice, but getting set to head for the bench. Paul Houston tapped home on the back door after Ernie Vargas came out from behind the net and forced the puck between Poeschl's legs 55 seconds into OT to give the Badgers their first OT win of the year (2 losses), leaving Northern still looking for their first win against Wisconsin (0-5). After a day's rest, the Badgers play Team USA Friday and Saturday before resuming WCHA action at Duluth next weekend. Also this week, UMD at Minn.