An early 1-0 lead wasn’t good enough as the Wisconsin Badgers fell to Denver in the national championship game, 2-1.
This isn’t the first time a Mike Hastings team has blown an early lead to the Pioneers in the national championship game, but it is one he’s going to replay in his head for some time.
Despite being the clear favorites in the shot department, Wisconsin’s plus-16 advantage didn’t lead to a victory. Instead, it goes back to the drawing board in its bid to win its first national championship since 2006.
Denver has won three of the last five national championships.
Vasily Zelenov scored the Badgers’ goal at 13:36 in the first period. Rieger Lorenz and Kyle Chyzowski scored for the Pioneers at 7:31 and 14:08 in the third period.
FINAL: Denver 2, Wisconsin 1
Denver was outshot 31-15 but took home its record-setting 11th national championship.
Wisconsin Timeout – 3rd Period – 1:50: Denver 2, Wisconsin 1
Wisconsin successfully killed the penalty and seeks to come out of its timeout with an empty net in hopes of tying the game.
Wisconsin Penalty – 3rd Period – 4:14: Denver 2, Wisconsin 1
Denver has a chance to put this one out of reach thanks to a holding penalty against Blake Montgomery that the Badgers don’t agree with.
Seconds before the penalty, Ben Dexheimer was inches away from tying this game up. His shot went off the top of the crossbar.
DENVER GOAL – 3rd Period – 5:52: Denver 2, Wisconsin 1
Hauser was without his stick for what felt like an eternity, and the Pioneers finally took advantage. A fanned one-timer turned into a picture-perfect opportunity for Kyle Chyzowski, assisted by Boston Buckberger.
3rd Period – 8:51: Wisconsin 1, Denver 1
Denver has more shots in this period than the first two combined. Wisconsin is still minus-2 in faceoffs, which will undoubtedly play a huge factor down the stretch.
DENVER GOAL – 3rd Period – 12:29: Wisconsin 1, Denver 1
National championship-winning forward Rieger Lorenz evens the score in the middle of the third period. His goal was assisted by Garrett Brown.
Remember, Hastings’ Minnesota State squad enjoyed a 1-0 lead on Denver in the national championship game a few years ago, but gave up five unanswered in the third period.
3rd Period – 15:29: Wisconsin 1, Denver 0
Jack Horbach had the Badgers’ best look in quite some time, but failed to find the back of the net. Denver already has as many shots this period as it had in each of the first two.
Start of 3rd Period
Six Badgers have two shots in the first 40 minutes. Garrett Brown leads Denver with two of its five shots.
Keep in mind, the fewest shots in a national championship game is 15, a number Minnesota set in 2023.
End of 2nd Period: Wisconsin 1, Denver 0
Daniel Hauser lost his stick in the final minute, but the Badgers’ defense stood its ground. Quinn Finley had a great look in the final three seconds, but the score remains 1-0 in Wisconsin’s favor.
2nd Period – 4:56: Wisconsin 1, Denver 0
Johnny Hicks has done a great job for Denver. The Badgers’ 15 scoring chances have resulted in only the first-period goal. Wisconsin has six shots in the first 15-plus minutes of this period to Denver’s two.
2nd Period – 9:00: Wisconsin 1, Denver 0
The Badgers continue to enjoy their 1-0 lead in a rather uneventful second period. Wisconsin is up to plus-12 in shot differential but still trails in both blocked shots and faceoff wins.
2nd Period – 13:00: Wisconsin 1, Denver 0
The Pioneers have gone nearly 15 minutes without a shot on goal. Wisconsin is plus-10 in that department as of the 12:29 media timeout.
Start of 2nd Period: Wisconsin 1, Denver 0
Denver looks to rebound from its worst shooting performance in a single period all season.
End of 1st Period: Wisconsin 1, Denver 0
Wisconsin holds a 10-2 lead in the shot department while Denver has seven more blocked shots and has won two more faceoffs. Both teams successfully killed a penalty; Zelenov’s goal is the lone scoring in the first 20 minutes.
WISCONSIN GOAL – 1st Period – 6:24: Wisconsin 1, Denver 0
Vasily Zelenov’s sixth goal of the year was an absolute rocket, assisted by Aiden Dubinsky and Adam Pietila at 13:36.
DENVER PENALTY – 1st Period – 9:24: Wisconsin 0, Denver 0
Cale Ashcroft is given a two-minute penalty for boarding, which will give the Badgers their first power play opportunity.
1st Period – 14:10: Wisconsin 0, Denver 0
Despite being down a man for two minutes, Wisconsin has four shots to Denver’s 0. Gavin Morrissey nearly got the Badgers on the board while they were shorthanded, and a few deflections tested Pioneers’ Johnny Hicks early.
WISCONSIN PENALTY – 1st Period – 18:11: Wisconsin 0, Denver 0
An early penalty gives Denver its first power play chance of the afternoon. Badgers’ Oliver Tulk was sent into the box for tripping less than two minutes into the first period.
Wisconsin men’s hockey vs. Denver Frozen Four title game: TV channel, start time
Date: Saturday, April 11
Channel: ESPN
Start Time: 5:30 p.m. ET, 4:30 p.m. CT
Where to watch Wisconsin-Denver Frozen Four national title game on livestream
Wisconsin vs Denver will be available via livestream on ESPN+.
Watch Wisconsin vs. Denver on ESPN
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin collapses in third-period vs. Denver: Instant reaction
Reporting by Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
