The Wisconsin Badger men’s hockey team (5-12-6, 1-7-2-1 Big Ten) got a pair of goals from Ryan Wagner and three second-period goals overall, knocking off Alaska 4-3 on Friday night at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers opened the scoring with just 47-seconds left in the first period on Corbin McGuire’s second goal of the season.
The Nanooks (7-14-4, 5-11-4 WCHA) tied the game 6:51 into the second, but the Badgers answered just 18 seconds later to take the lead back for good with Ryan Wagner’s first of two goals.
Jarod Zirbel scored for the first time in his career about five minutes later for the Badgers to go up 3-to-1. Then Wagner added his second goal and the final for the Badgers in the final four minutes of the middle period.
The Badgers had to kill off a penalty for the final 1:43 of the third after Jedd Soleway was whistled for checking from behind. The Badgers stood strong for the penalty kill, which included almost a minute of 6-on-4 when Alaska pulled their goaltender.
Matt Jurusik stopped 20 shots in his fifth win of the season.
Wisconsin plays for the sweep tonight. The school will also honor its 2006 NCAA Championships for the men’s and women’s team during intermissions.
The Badger women open a two-game series against St. Cloud State at LaBahn Arena tonight.