For the fourth time in the last six years, Wisconsin and Northern Michigan faced off in a weekend series at the Resch Center in Green Bay.
The Northern Michigan Wildcats got the best of the Badgers in Friday's contest with a 5-4 win in overtime. Wisconsin head coach Tony Granato was not impressed with his team's performance, especially on the power play. Wisconsin gave up a goal with a 5-on-3 man advantage.
Saturday was a very different story. The No. 5/6 Badgers responded with a 4-0 win. Goaltender Jack Berry earned the team's first shutout of the season.
"We have a lot of depth at that position," coach Granato said.
The win did come at a price. Junior defenseman Peter Tischke left the game in the first period after Northern Michigan's Denver Pierce delivered a big hit through the neutral zone. Pierce was assessed a charging penalty and the Badgers scored on the ensuing power play. Coach Granato said Tischke was doing well after the game but he is does not have a timetable for his return.
"You lose an All-American defenseman," Granato said. "You're going to have to suck it up and find a way to battle through it. Our five [defenseman] were outstanding."
One of those defenseman is De Pere native and former Notre Dame Academy state champion Tim Davison. The senior led his team in plus-minus with a +2.
"Any chance you get to win, especially in front of your friends and family, it's really great." Davison said.
Junior forward Jarod Zirbel is also from Green Bay and served as team captain for Notre Dame during their state championship run.
Freshman forward Jason Dhooghe played for the Green Bay Gamblers. He made his Wisconsin Badgers debut on Saturday.
The Badgers improve to 5-1-1 on the season. Wisconsin will host St. Lawrence next weekend.
