MADISON, Wis. -- Aided by two-goal efforts from Robbie Earl and Kyle Klubertanz, #1 Wisconsin (14-2-2, 11-1-2 WCHA) salvaged a series-split with a 7-0 victory over the the Michigan Tech (3-14-1, 2-9-1 WCHA) hockey team Saturday night in Western Collegiate Hockey Association competition at the Kohl Center. EB

The Badgers came out firing in the first period, as they notched three goals, the first of which was a shorthanded tally. Adam Burish recorded his fifth marker of the year at the 6:02 mark to give the home team a quick 1-0 lead.

UW then took advantage of a 5:00 major penalty called on the Huskies, as it scored twice with a man advantage. Robbie Earl tallied his seventh goal at 8:58, while Jake Dowell notched his fourth goal of the season at 11:47 of the opening stanza.

Michael-Lee Teslak was pulled after the Badgers third goal in favor of fellow freshman Rob Nolan.

Wisconsin made the score 4-0 by scoring the only goal of the second frame, a power-play lamplighter at the 11:54 mark. Kyle Klubertanz recorded his second tally of the 2005-06 campaign by converting a one-timer from the top of the point.

The top-ranked Badgers received goals from Earl at 1:07, Klubertanz at 12:31 and Jack Skille at 13:18 in the third period to round out the contest's scoring.

Brian Elliott earned his 14th win of the season after making 17 stops for the Badgers. Nolan finished with 25 saves in two periods of action.

The final shot count was 39-17 to Wisconsin's advantage.

Michigan Tech hosts Minnesota State, Mankato at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena next Friday (Dec. 16) and Saturday (Dec. 17). Both contests are slated to begin at 7:07 p.m.