MADISON, Wis. - The Michigan Tech hockey team scored two goals but it wasn't enough as they fell 3-2 on the road to Wisconsin Friday (Nov. 7) at the Kohl Center. With the win, the Badgers improve to (2-6-1, 2-4-1) and the Huskies fall to (2-5-0, 1-4-0).

"We took eight penalty minutes in the first period," said head coach Jamie Russell. "We need to prepare ourselves mentally and make smart decision throughout the game."

Sophomore Ryan McDonagh opened the scoring for the Badgers at 1:16 of the first period when he redirected a shot from the blue line by sophomore Patrick Johnson. Freshman Matt Thurber also assisted on the goal.

The Badger lead was extended to 2-0 when junior Jamie McBain fired a shot from the blue line over the blocker of Tech senior goaltender Rob Nolan. Sophomore Brendan Smith and junior Blake Geoffrion assisted on the power play goal with 13 seconds remaining in the opening period.

Junior John Mitchell skated into the slot and sent a wrist shot over the blocker of Nolan for the Badger's third goal. He was assisted by McBain and Smith on the goal at 14:10 of the middle period.

The Huskies were able to bust up the Badger shutout with an even strength goal at 16:42 of the second period. Junior Mike VanWagner fired a shot on goal that was turned away by senior Shane Connelly but senior Alex Gagne tapped in the loose puck. VanWagner and senior Malcolm Gwilliam each recorded an assist on the goal.

Freshman Josh Robinson replaced Nolan in net at the start of the third period.

"We put Josh in net hoping to give the team a little spark," said Russell. "Josh came in and did a great job in net."

Tech's second goal was much likes its first with freshman Alex MacLeod putting away a rebound on a shot by freshman Brett Olson. The power play goal at 6:40 of the third period was his third goal of the season, all three of which have come on the power play. Senior Geoff Kinrade also picked up his third assist of the season on the goal.

The Tech comeback was slowed down as it was forced to kill off three overlapping penalties in the third.

The Huskies pulled Robinson with 1:06 remaining for the extra skater but were unable to score the equalizer.

Connelly (2-4-1) made 24 saves on 26 shots in the Badger win.

Nolan (1-5-0) made 17 saves on 20 shots in 40 minutes of work and Robinson finished with nine saves in roughly 19 minutes of action.

The teams will wrap-up the series tomorrow (Nov. 8) at 7:07 p.m.