Wisconsin came from behind in an incredible game to beat Minnesota 6-5
tonight. It was WILD!!! I just got home from the game, and I'm sorry I
don't have the box or even who scored each goal, but it was a great
game.
 
Brian Bonin put the Gophers up 1-0 just 9 seconds into the game, as he
carried the puck down the slot and got a close shot on Daubenspek.
 
10 minutes later, it was Minnesota 2-0, and 2 minutes after that Bonin
scored again, to make it 3-0 Minnesota. Dread was in the air for the
Badger fans. Wisconsin didn't help themselves in the first period,
taking too many penalties.
 
Wisconsin came out flying in the second, with 2 goals in the first two
minutes, and a third halfway through the period to tie it at 3. The
crowd was definitely back in the game, and so were the Badgers --
working hard, making their passes, playing good solid defense.
 
It seemed that the synonym for "phantom call" tonight was "cross
checking" -- several cross checks were called (both ways) and most
seemed wrong.
 
Towards the end of the second, however, there was a major scuffle in
front of the Badger net. Shepard and Schmidt just watched, but by the
time a Minnesota player had wrapped around the net, the whistle had
blown. One ref signalled goal, but the other waved it off. The result
was 2 players for each side with double minors and 1 extra minor
against Wisconsin.
 
A few seconds into the penalty, another cross-check was called on
Wisconsin, given Minnesota a 5-3 power play. They converted on both, to
make the score 5-3.
 
Wisconsin came back in the third, staying out of the penalty box and
taking advantage of Minnesota's penalties, scoring 3 more goals.  The
game-winner came with about 4 minutes left, by freshman Joe Bianchi.
 
Wisconsin held off a strong counter attack by Minnesota, and while the
gophers were eventually able to pull their goalie, they did not tie it
up.
 
The game ended with a face-off the Daubenspeck's left with 4 seconds
left. At the face off, everyone tied up someone, the puck stayed at the
center's feet, and it looked like Greg Shepard was trying to call a
penalty with 1 second left. Minnesota didn't look like they were
protesting (first starting to line up for the hand shake, and then
wandering over to their bench while the badgers celebrated and lined up
for the handshake), and eventually the players shook hands and the game
was over.
 
This is a HUGE win for Wisconsin. They had lost to the gophers 9
straight times. They needed the win for confidence, for the points, and
to show that they can beat the good teams, when they play hard and
focus on hockey.
 
        --david
 
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david parter                                         [log in to unmask]
university of wisconsin -- madison          voice: 608-262-0608/262-2389
computer sciences department                           fax: 608-262-6626