For the second time this season, the Wisconsin Badgers couldn’t solve Michigan State goalie John Lethemon.
Nearly two months to the day after Lethemon shut out the Badgers in Michigan, he did it again at the Kohl Center, turning aside 30 shots on goal, as the Spartans dealt Wisconsin at 2-0 loss in Madison.
Wisconsin goalie Kyle Hayton kept pace until late in the second period, when Mitch Lewandowski scored on the power play to put the Spartans up 1-0. Cody Milan added an empty-net goal towards the end of the third period to make it 2-0.
The Badgers had their chances, but couldn’t capitalize, going 0-for-4 on the power play despite racking up eight shots on goal with an extra skater. Their penalty kill was effective at times – the Spartans didn’t record a shot on goal during two of their power-play chances – but gave up the game-winning goal as well at 19:49 of the second period.
With the loss Wisconsin falls to 10-11-3 (4-7-2 Big Ten) and just 5-7-2 at home.
The two teams complete their two-game series Saturday at 7 p.m.
