MTU continues a 4 game slump as it loses a critical game to Wisconsin 7-1. This series was critical because it would determine whether or not MTU gains home ice for the playoffs. It is not to be this year despite a much improved team. The following stats are from WZRK's play by play. Any errors are mine. MTU 0 1 0 - 1 UW 2 3 2 - 7 Goalie Saves: MTU Caravaggio 10 12 8 - 30 UW Daubenspeck 9 5 7 - 20 UW Soper 1 - 1 Scoring: 1st Period UW Mike Strobel (Balkovic, Ragore) 9:02 ppg UW Rafelsky (unassisted) 12:17 shg 2nd Period MTU Savage (B. Peterson, J. Mikesch) 10:45 ppg UW Williams (assists unk) 14:08 ppg UW Koch (Ragore, Bianchi) 15:19 ppg UW Sanderson (Engelhart) 16:38 3rd Period UW Ragore (Bianchi, Balkovic) 7:17 ppg UW Tompkins (Sanderson, Carter) 11:53 I am not going through the penalties: the game had 45: 23 for MTU and 22 for UW. Too much leaning on the whistle. The game was played close during the 1st period. Wisconsin got two 5 hole shots on Caracaggio: the first by Mike Stroble in the slot at 9:02 and the second by Rafelsky on a 2 on 1 breakaway. MTU's Andre Savage took a blueline blast that rocketed into the top right corner to give MTU a score and a possible come back. Mike Williams got a goal on an MTU zone breakdown at 14:08. The game was close until Koch's goal at 15:19 of the 2nd period. Caravaggio had just successfully kicked out a shot to the corner. However, MTU's defense, suspect all year, let Koch undefended and clear shot on Caravaggio. From this point on, MTU was not in the game and UW could do what ever it wanted. Engelhart brought the puck down and fed Sanderson who was coming down on Caravaggio's right. Caravaggio successfully blocked the short side but Sanderson took the long side and beat him on the glove. The third continued the Badger rule of the Dane as Ragore took a Sanderson flip across the crease and put it in on the open side as Caravaggio had not body parts to put between the puck and the net. Tompkins finished off the scoring as again Sanderson was the play maker by laying the puck out in front to an open Tompkins. This was not a good showing for MTU. Their confidence broke and they were never able to regain the edge. Daubenspeck while never terribly busy was there when needed. Wisconsin defense was also very successful in preventing MTU from getting grade A shots and was beating MTU to the puck on rebounds. This is was a recipe for Husky stew as MTU became frustrated. In the other zone, MTU was unable to return the favor as Wisconsin had men open and found them. MTU's defense is not working with the goalie either in preventing close and mid range shots or in collecting and then moving rebounds. Walt Olson MTU