Wisconsin entered Friday's game against Michigan on its second winning streak of the season, having swept Alaska last weekend.
The Badgers' Big Ten struggles continued, however, as they allowed goals in each period in a 4-1 loss to the Wolverines at the Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Wisconsin (6-13-6, 1-8-2-1 Big Ten) tied the game at 1 in the first period on a Ryan Wagner goal, but Michigan's Dexter Dancs scored the game winner 8:20 into the second period.
Alex Kile added a third-period goal for the sixth-ranked Wolverines (18-4-4, 9-2-2-1 Big Ten), who remain tied with Minnesota for the conference lead.
Michigan's Tyler Motte also scored, and freshman Kyle Connor added a goal and an assist, bringing his nation-leading point total to 46.
"We flirted with doing some good things," coach Mike Eaves said. "... I don't think we had that shooter's mentality enough."
The Badgers have not defeated the Wolverines in the team's past 10 meetings dating back to January 2014. Michigan defeated Wisconsin twice in December in Ann Arbor, Mich., scoring six goals in each game.
The Wolverines led the nation in scoring entering Friday's game at 4.84 goals per game. They had been averaging 5.75 goals per Big Ten game.
Freshman goalie Matt Jurusik saved 35 shots for Wisconsin, which is in last place in the Big Ten.
