Michigan struck first but Wisconsin‘s Ryan Wagner tied their Big Ten matchup against Michigan with 2:48 left in the first period. The game against the conference leading Wolverines would stay tied 1-1 midway through the second period until Michigan struck and went on to beat the Badgers 4-1 at the Kohl Center.
Michigan’s Dexter Dancs put the Wolverines ahead for good at the 8:20 mark of the second period on a backhanded rebound past Badger goaltender Matt Jurusik.
Michigan would widen the lead to two on the power play with just over six minutes left in the third period to make it 3-1. Kyle Connor scored an empty netter in the final minute and the Wolverines pulled out the win the Badgers in the series opener.
Jurusik made 36 saves in goal for the Badgers, who will aim for the series split on Saturday night at the Kohl Center.