University of Minnesota Athletics
University of Minnesota
Wisconsin
Gophers Settle for Split with UW
1/21/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Hockey
MADISON, Wis. (GopherSports.com) - The No. 7 Gopher Hockey program dropped a 5-3 conference matchup at Wisconsin on Saturday, snapping Minnesota's longest winning streak since 2006-07 at seven games.
The Gophers (14-6-2 overall, 6-2-0-0 Big Ten) picked up goals from Ryan Norman, Mike Szmatula and Justin Kloos, but couldn't overcome a four-goal rally by the Badgers in the second half of the contest.
Wisconsin (11-8-1, 4-2-0-0) capitalized on special teams in the win, scoring a pair of power-play goals to snap the Gophers unblemished streak on the penalty kill at 29. The Badgers also held Minnesota to 1-for-7 on the power play with Kloos' goal on the advantage coming in the game's final minute.
The Badgers jumped out to an early lead, but the Gophers picked up timely goals from Norman and Sheehy to head into the first intermission up 2-1. Norman notched his second goal of the year at 16:38 after being fed by Jack Sadek and Tyler Sheehy. Szmatula put the Maroon & Gold in front at 18:09 with his ninth of the year after a nice forced turnover by Brent Gates Jr. But Wisconsin responded with three goals in the second and another in the third before limiting the Gophers' scoring chances in the second half of the game.
Kloos's power-play goal from Sheehy cut the lead to two with 55 seconds to play, but it was too late for the Maroon & Gold. Sheehy ended the night with a pair of assists and leads the Big Ten in scoring with 32 points on the year. Kloos had now notched a point in eight-straight contests.
Eric Schierhorn suffered the loss for Minnesota, falling to 14-6-2 behind a 32-save performance. The Badgers outshot Minnesota 37-35.
The Maroon & Gold return to action next weekend with the fourth annual North Star College Cup presented by TRIA Orthopaedic Center at Xcel Energy Center. Tickets for the 2016-17 season are available at MyGopherSports.com or by calling 1-800-U-Gopher.
-Pride on Ice-
