ST. PAUL, Minn. ? University of Wisconsin freshman forward Jordy Murray scored twice and senior goalie Shane Connelly stopped 35 of 36 shots to lead the Badgers to a 4-1 victory over the Fighting Sioux this afternoon in the third-place game of the Red Baron WCHA Final Five at the Xcel Energy Center.
Murray's goal midway through the second period broke a 1-1 tie and held up as the game-winner as the Badgers scored four unanswered goals to hand the sixth-ranked Sioux their second straight loss. The Faribault, Minn., native, stationed at the bottom of the left circle, took a centering feed from Michael Davies and one-timed it past UND goalie Brad Eidsness (Chestermere, Alberta) at 8:28 of the middle frame.
The goal was Murray's first of two on the night and was the second of three second-period tallies by Wisconsin. Andy Bohmbach had gotten the Badgers on the board just five minutes earlier when Eidsness was taken out of the play during a scramble in front and the puck squirted loose and came to rest just outside the goal line. Bohmbach was on the doorstep to tap it in for his 10th of the season, although not until a video review that lasted several minutes confirmed the goal.
UW made it a 3-1 game in the final minute of the second period. Eidsness stopped a Blake Geoffrion shot, but the rebound went directly to Badgers defenseman Brendan Smith at the top of the right circle, and Smith blasted a slap shot to the short side that Eidsness was only able to get a piece of.
Murray iced the game with 2:56 remaining in the third period, cleaning up a Bohmbach rebound on the power-play during a scrum in front of the Sioux net.
“We didn't sustain a level of play that we expect of ourselves,” said UND head coach Dave Hakstol. “Sporadic play at this time of year isn't enough to get it done. We're disappointed with the outcome of our weekend but I'm confident in the group of guys we have in our locker room.
“We'll learn, we'll have a good week of practice and we'll be ready to go next weekend.”
Eidsness finished 34 saves, including 22 during a second period in which UND was out-shot 25-9. It was the most shots the Sioux have allowed in a period all season.
Connelly was stellar for the Badgers, turning aside 14 shots during nine Sioux power-plays. For the second straight day, UND was unable to convert with the man advantage, finishing 0-for-14 in the tournament.
“We've been streaky all year on the power-play,” said Hakstol. “This was a poor streak for us. Maybe that's good timing. Hopefully it'll turn at the right time for us going into next weekend.”
UND senior captain Ryan Duncan (Calgary, Alberta) scored the lone Sioux goal, tapping home a loose puck inside the post at 7:45 of the first period.
The Sioux, now 24-14-4 on the season, will now prepare for the NCAA postseason tournament. Their opponent and bracket will be officially announced on Sunday.
Notes: Duncan's goal was the 84th of his career, leaving him one shy of UND associate head coach Cary Eades (1978-82) for ninth all-time at UND. It was also his 171st career point, tying him with Jason Blake (1996-1999) for 14th on UND's all-time scoring list ... Duncan played in his 174th consecutive game, leaving him one shy of the NCAA record held by former teammate Chris Porter (2003-07) ... Eidsness made his 33rd straight start, setting a school record for freshmen ... The NCAA Division I men's hockey selection show will air Sunday on ESPN2 at 11:30 a.m. Central ... The announced attendance of 15,254 was the fourth-largest crowd to ever witness the Final Five third-place game.
