Wisconsin men's hockey: Badgers upset top-ranked North Dakota 3-1

A shocker. A thrilling upset. A huge step for the program.

Call it whatever you want, because the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team  (3-3-3) defeated No. 1-ranked North Dakota (6-1-2) 3-1 on the road at Ralph Engelstad Arena Friday night.

Two second-period goals and an outstanding performance from freshman goalie Matt Jurusik were behind the Badgers big win.

Freshman forward Luke Kunin put the Badgers in front 2-1 just 37 seconds after the first intermission. Junior forward Jedd Soleway ripped a one-timer past Sioux goalkeeper Matt Hrynkiw 9:06 into the period to give Wisconsin its 3-1 lead.

At just 18 years of age, Jurusik wasn't fazed by the top-ranked team in the nation. He saved 29 of 30 shots, shutting out the Sioux over the game's final 52:29.

After a home sweep of Arizona State last weekend, the Badgers are riding a three-game win streak, having outscored opponents 10-3 over that stretch. Wisconsin won just four games all of last season.

Redshirt sophomore forward Corbin McGuire tied the game at one at the 10:33 mark of the first period.

The Badgers were out-shot by the Sioux, 30-23, but the play of Jurusik was too much as head coach Mike Eaves' team pulled off the program's marquee victory from the last two seasons.

"This isn't just any team. This is a good hockey team," Wisconsin men's hockey coach Mike Eaves said about North Dakota. "To have that signature win really could be something special for this group as we move forward."