Wisconsin wouldn't let the Gophers' speed build any momentum.
The Badgers set a physical tone early on Friday night and kept the Gophers on their heels. The game plan limited the Gophers' flow and quality scoring chances in a 2-1 loss at a sold out Kohl Center.
"That's one thing we empathized a lot. Win battles. They try to win a fast, skilled game and I think a lot of guys were out there tonight winning battles and laying the body down," Wisconsin defenseman Frankie Simonelli said. "Everyone was stepping in front of them and slowing them down and taking the puck off their stick."
Former Mr. Hockey Minnesota Grant Besse was part of the Badgers' physical presence. He laid a big hit on Gophers defenseman Jake Parenteau to add to his big night of a goal and an assist.
Wisconsin veteran defenseman Jake McCabe's over-physical presence disqualified him in the second period. He was called for a game misconduct, hit to the head, on Gophers forward Kyle Rau.
Read Friday's game story.
• The Gophers don't respond well to back-to-back defeats. They've happened just three times in the past two years.
Taylor Cammarata remained hunched for several seconds after the final buzzer. Travis Boyd quickly found goaltender Adam Wilcox and consoled him. Outside of the Gophers' locker room, there were a lot of blank stares.
