Michigan
25-6-1, 16-5-1
Wisconsin
19-11-2, 12-10-0
Michigan Pots Three Straight Goals to Defeat No. 13 Wisconsin, Split Series
2/21/2026 11:08:00 PM | Ice Hockey
» Defenseman Luca Fantilli had two assists, the lone skater to finish with multiple points.
» Kason Muscutt redirected a point shot from the slot to earn his first collegiate goal.
» Jack Ivankovic turned aside 34 of 35 shots from Wisconsin.
MADISON, Wis. -- The second-ranked University of Michigan ice hockey team defeated No. 13 Wisconsin 3-1 on Saturday night (Feb. 21) in front of the largest crowd in Kohl Center history to earn a series split with the Badgers.
Freshman goaltender Jack Ivankovic was stout between the pipes once again for U-M, making 34 saves while yielding just one goal to a persistent UW attack.
Wisconsin (19-11-2, 12-10-0 Big Ten) continued its strong play from the latter half of Friday night's contest to open the scoring with a power-play goal at 4:33 and claim an early 1-0 lead.
Michigan (25-6-1, 16-5-1 Big Ten) answered back at 7:03 when forward Kason Muscutt scored his first collegiate goal in his 10th game as a Wolverine with a crafty redirection from the slot. Junior defenseman Ben Robertson earned the primary assist for taking the shot that Muscutt altered, while freshman Adam Valentini recorded the secondary. Muscutt's tally was the first that UW had surrendered at even strength in nearly six periods.
Three penalties were assessed in the first 13 minutes, all on Michigan. The Badgers converted on the first chance before Michigan's penalty killers regrouped to dismiss the other two.
After one period, the game was tied at one, and each squad had produced 10 shots on goal. U-M carried the play at even strength, but a litany of early penalties stymied its ability to generate additional chances in the opening frame. UW also finished the first with a 10-6 edge in faceoffs.
Another infraction was called on the Wolverines at 8:01 of the second period, handing the fourth power play of the night to the home team while U-M continued to search for its first opportunity. For the third straight time, Michigan's penalty killers did their job to keep the score deadlocked at 1-1.
Wisconsin came out for the second period with vigor, and the home team dominated the action in the first half of the frame, while Ivankovic gave everything he had to keep the puck out of the net.
The Wolverines seemed to flip a switch near the middle of the period as they ramped up the pressure in search of a go-ahead goal. Junior Nick Moldenhauer showed his elevated form to notch a momentous goal that pulled Michigan ahead 2-1 at 14:11. A pair of veteran defenders, Tyler Duke and Luca Fantilli, assisted on the marker, Moldenhauer's seventh in as many games.
Sophomore Will Horcoff nearly scored with 2:49 left, but the Wisconsin goalie's quick reflexes covered the puck as it was loose in the crease with the big sophomore's blade en route to knock it across the goal line.
The visitors carried a 2-1 lead into the dressing room for the second intermission after another strong period in the blue paint from Ivankovic. Wisconsin continued to lead in shots on goal (26-19) and faceoffs (20-14), but Michigan led where it counted most through 40 minutes.
U-M's penalty kill was activated for a fifth time at 1:40 when a Wolverine was banished once again, but the group was up to the task as they dismissed yet another chance.
The pendulum finally swung back in the direction of the visitors at 5:31 when a UW forward was penalized for boarding, creating a second power-play opportunity. Michigan's top-ranked group threatened but ultimately failed to net a second tally on the man-advantage.
Neither team could sustain offensive pressure as the period went on, resulting in a ping-pong effect as both groups drove hard toward the opposing crease time after time before having their attempts stymied, allowing the opposing team to collect the puck and rush in the other direction.
The final media timeout came with 3:29 left in regulation and Michigan clinging to a 2-1 lead. Less than a minute of game time later, UW pulled its netminder with 2:36 remaining and the Wolverines came within inches of icing the game with an empty-net goal on two separate occasions. U-M took its timeout with 90 seconds left on the clock to regroup in advance of a defensive zone faceoff.
Senior captain T.J. Hughes followed up a critical pair of blocks in the defensive zone by finishing off an empty-net goal to lock up an important 3-1 win for the Wolverines. Fantilli earned the lone assist on Hughes' 63rd career goal.
Ivankovic was surrounded by his teammates after the final buzzer as the Wolverines celebrated a three-point regulation victory. UW finished the evening with an advantage in both shots on goal (35-25) and faceoffs (26-22), while Michigan rallied to finish with a 14-9 edge in blocked shots.
Next week, Michigan will close out the regular season hosting Minnesota for a pair of games at Yost Ice Arena on Thursday and Friday (Feb. 26-27). Puck drop for Thursday night is set for 6:30 p.m., while the finale is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. Both contests will be broadcast on Big Ten Network, with Friday serving as U-M's annual Senior Night celebration.
