If No. 12 Wisconsin fails to make the NCAA tournament this year, Friday’s 3–2 loss to Notre Dame may be a game the Badgers look back at with regret.
Wisconsin (10–8–2, 4–4–1 Big Ten) went up 2–0 on goals by forwards Cameron Hughes and Tarek Baker before surrendering three third-period tallies to the Irish to let the lead, and the game, slip away.
Baguette ready for this play from Baker pic.twitter.com/LXffCkw9FO
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) December 9, 2017
Notre Dame’s Dylan Malmquist book-ended a pair of goals, including the game-winner, past Wisconsin sophomore Jack Berry, the newly elevated co-No. 1 goaltender.
With graduate transfer netminder Kyle Hayton struggling this season for Wisconsin, Berry had sought to solidify the Badgers’ situation in goal, but Friday’s meltdown creates more questions for Wisconsin going forward.
Wisconsin will have another opportunity against its new Big Ten-affiliate foe on Saturday. Puck drops at 7 p.m. at the Kohl Center.