No. 20 Wisconsin men’s hockey beats Michigan 5-2

After being swept at home last week by No. 9 Penn State, Wisconsin (16-10-1 overall, 9-4-0-0 Big Ten) looked to bounce back Friday against a Michigan squad that has only managed two Big Ten regulation wins all season.

The No. 20 Badgers did just that, beating the Wolverines 5-2 at the Kohl Center.

Freshman Trent Frederic got the scoring started, poaching a rebound for a wide-open tap-in from just outside the crease at 10:53 in the first.

Wisconsin’s seventh-ranked penalty kill gave up a rare power-play goal when Michigan’s Cooper Marody tied the game less than a minute into the second period. Cameron Hughes put the Badgers back up midway through the frame after a beautiful exchange with Luke Kunin up the side that split a pair of Wolverine defenders.

Michigan once again tied it midway through the third period off a goal by Evan Allen. After that, it was all Wisconsin.

Frederic got his second of the game off of a lovely assist by Kunin that made its way through three Michigan defenders for the game-winner.

Jared Zirbel put the Badgers up 4-2 off of a no-look drop pass from Aidan Cavallini from nearly behind the Wolverines’ net.

Seamus Malone finished off the scoring with twI minutes left, fighting one past Wolverines goaltender Jack LaFontaine to cap the 5-2 win.

Freshman goaltender Jack Berry bounced back from a rough loss last week against Penn State, making 25 saves in the win. Kunin and Corbin McGuire both finished with two assists.

With the win, Wisconsin maintains second place in the Big Ten, three points back of league leader Minnesota and five points ahead of Penn State, who lost at home against the Gophers on Friday.

The Badgers and Wolverines finish their season series on Saturday at the Kohl Center at 7 p.m.