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Wisconsin hockey recap: JT Compher's hat trick leads Michigan to sweep over Wisconsin

With Saturday's win, Michigan earns the series and season sweep over Wisconsin, winning all four games between the schools this season.

By Andy Johnson
Richard T Gagnon - Getty Images

A hat trick from JT Compher and two goals from Justin Selman helped Michigan complete a Big Ten conference series sweep over Wisconsin Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor.

The Badgers scored first and appeared to carry the play much of the first period.

Ryan Wagner gave UW the first lead of the night 11:42 into the opening stanza on his second goal of the season. After Michigan goaltender Steve Racine poked the puck out into the slot, Wagner pounced on the puck and swiftly flicked a shot past the scrambling Racine for the early lead.

Wisconsin would take a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, but Selman would draw Michigan even 4:53 into the second period. After a drop pass deflected off the skate of a UW defender, the puck bounced perfectly to Selman in the slot who beat goaltender Joel Rumpel for his eighth goal of the season.

The Wolverines would jump out to a 2-1 lead on the power play late in the second period thanks to a beautiful passing play. Tyler Motte spun around on his backhand and found Compher on the back side who was able to fire a shot from a bad angle into the back of the Badgers' net.

Grant Besse would score a controversial goal for the Badgers to tie the game at 2-2 late in the second period. After a lengthy review, the officials decided to count the goal, which was Besse's 11th of the season.

It appeared the Badgers had the momentum coming out for the third period, but Compher had other ideas. The sophomore took advantage once again on the power play, slithering his way up the ice and finishing on a laser of a wrist shot over the shoulder of Rumpel.

Michigan would extend its lead four minutes later on Selman's second of the game as he was able to one-time a pass on a 2-on-1 from freshman Dylan Larkin for the 4-2 lead.

Compher would seal the victory with an empty net goal for the hat trick in the waning moments of the contest.

Despite the loss, Rumpel played very well between the pipes for the Badgers, stopping multiple close-range opportunities. The senior finished the night with 29 saves on 33 shots.

Racine turned aside 26 of 28 Wisconsin shots.

Wisconsin falls to 4-22-4 on the season. The Badgers season is nearing a conclusion with just two regular season series remaining. UW will stay on the road as they head to East Lansing to take on Michigan State next weekend. Wisconsin finishes the regular season with a home series against Ohio State before going to Detroit to end the year at the Big Ten tournament.

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