Update: OT’s on the fly. 1:02 left in a MN powerplay to start the five minute period. Fischer’s shoulder doesn’t seem to be bothering him, he just blasted a slap-shot from the point. Nobody scored, check back later for the article. Third: Well I guess Minnesota didn’t get enough overtimes last season, so the Gophers are going back to their favorite period of play. Wisconsin-born Sam Lofquist tapped in a rebound off of Connelly for his first career goal (powerplay) with 3:29 remaning in the game. White and Sacchetti recorded assists. Flynn almost got the game-winner but his deflection was tipped wide by the Badgers D. With 59 seconds left, Derek Stepan took a holding penalty giving the Gophers a power-play for the last minute, but Minnesota didn’t really have a good opportunity as time expired. Second: The Badgers were able to maintain their one goal lead and now lead 2-1 with one period to go in the game. Brendan Smith blasted a shot from the point during a Wisconsin 5-on-2 to take a two goal lead, but Ryan Stoa picked up his second goal of the season later in the period to put Minnesota on the board. Stoa’s goal came with helpers from Barriball and Sacchetti. Tell you what, Wisconsin’s powerplay unit is a step above Minnesota right now, they’re not afraid to shoot the puck from the blue-line. During a Ryan Flynn penalty the Badgers took three consecutive shots from the blue-line – all made it to Kangas in net. Meanwhile the Gophers cycle the puck down low and then try to thread the needle in front of the net. It’s a system that hasn’t worked very well for the team since last season. Also, David Fischer is in fact playing. His shoulder doesn’t seem to be bothering him. First Period:

You cannot be serious. For the second-straight year, I am late getting to the Friday game in Madison.  Got to my spot in the supplemental press area with about 12 minutes to go in the first period, so I haven’t got much to report.  I’m all set for the rest of the game however. 

Badgers forward Podge Turnball made it 1-0 with assists from Tom Gorowsky and Patrick Johnson at the 8:30 mark.

One bit of info I did pick up was the Gophers women’s hockey team won earlier today at the Kohl Center after a shootout, I’ll have more on that later.