Wisconsin men’s hockey will play in the national championship game for the first time since 2010.
The Badgers defeated North Dakota 2-1 Thursday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, punching their ticket to the 9th national title game in program history.
Wisconsin men’s hockey will play in the national championship game for the first time since 2010.
Wisconsin’s Simon Tassy and Ryan Botterill each scored goals in the first period, 27 seconds apart, to open a 2-0 margin.
The Badgers held that lead until there were 52 seconds remaining in the game, when North Dakota had pulled its goalie and Ellis Rickwood broke through for the Fighting Hawks.
Wisconsin weathered the storm the rest of the way, winning 2-1 and improving the program’s all-time Frozen Four record to 17-6.
The team outshot UND 37-22, and killed all five North Dakota power-play opportunities, including a 5-on-3 in the second period. For full game stats, click here.
The Badgers now await the winner of the second national semifinal between Denver and Michigan.
The national championship game is slated for 4:30 p.m. Central time Saturday in Las Vegas, to air on ESPN2.
Wisconsin is seeking the 7th national championship game in program history, and first since 2006.