One night after enduring an ugly, one-sided setback, the Wisconsin men's hockey squad opened eyes with a 2-0 upset of fifth-ranked Michigan Tech at the Kohl Center on Saturday night.
Host Wisconsin, now 2-11-1 overall on the season, got Saturday night's first goal at 14:36 of the second period, when Morgan Zulinick tallied his second score of the weekend. The scoring play was assisted by Badgers teammates Jedd Soleway and Tim Davison.
From there on out, Wisconsin's defense ruled the day. Badgers senior netminder Joel Rumpel stood on his head all evening, recording an eye-opening 47 saves -- the second most saves in a shutout in program history.
"We talked with Jeff Sanger in the locker room after the game, our volunteer goaltending coach, and he said that he'd be hard pressed to think of another game that was as good as that," Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves noted. Rumpel "was in control of his rebounds . . . he fought to see pucks through screens."
Additionally, Wisconsin's Joseph LaBate added a late goal, at 18:55 of the third period, to salt the game away.
Michigan Tech, of the WCHA, fell to 15-5-0 overall with its loss, as the Badgers improved to 2-5-1 at home this season.
The Badgers return to action next Friday, when they host Boston University at 7 p.m.
