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Badger Hockey Reclaims Hockey Showdown Championship By Barry The Bear |
IdataSports.com Sports Staff Writer
barrythebear@webtv.net
Posted Wed Jan 1 15:27:25 2003
For the eighth time in the 14 year history of annual Bank One Badger Hockey Showdown, the Wisconsin Badgers are the champions. the Badgers defeated Colgate on Sunday night in the semi-finals 2-1, and then defeated former WCHA rival Northern Michigan 3-1 on Monday night to reclaim the title. The Badgers had previously won the Showdown crown in 1989-1990-1991-1993-1994-1997-2000.
In Sunday's semi-finals, Northern Michigan played Harvard. The two teams skated to scoreless first period. In the second period, Northern Michigan jumped out to a 2-0 lead, before Harvard stormed back with two goals of their own to tie the game at 2-2 after two periods. Northern Michigan scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period to take a 3-2 lead, which held up behind the strong goal tending of Craig Kowalske, who had 14 saves just in the third period.
Wisconsin entered their game on Sunday night in desperarate need of a victory.Wisconsin had lost six straight games going into the contest. The Badgers desperatly wanted to make a better showing for their Milwaukee fans this year, after last year's embarrassing showing and a third place finish. Wisconsin got off to a fast start, scoring two goals in just 28 seconds. Tim Fahey scored the first goal,then 28 seconds later, Pete Talafous punched in a shot off a rebounded puck. Colgate had a power play late in the period, and converted a goal with just 20 seconds remaining, making it a 2-1 game at the first intermission. Neither team scored in the second period or third despite having power play opportunities. The third perod saw a bench fight in front of the Colgate bench, which resulted in several penalties on both teams. But in the end , the score held up and the Badgers advanced with a 2-1 victory.
In the consolation game on Monday night, Harvard dominated Colgate in a 8-1 victory.
In the title game, the Badgers and Northern Michigan appeared headed for a scoreless first period, until Renee Borque scored for the Badgers with just four seconds remaining, giving Wisconsin a 1-0 lead. Northern Michigan would tie the game at 1-1 early in the second period. A few minutes later, the Badgers reclaimed the lead, as Tom Gilbert scored on back hander making it 2-1. Defense played a huge role for the Badgers in the third period. Northern Michigan opted to pull their goalie in the final minute in an attempt to tie the game, but the Badgers gained control of the puck, and slapped in an empty net goal with just 33 seconds remaining to claim a 3-1 victory and a Showdown CHAMPIONSHIP. The eighth title in fourteen years and the first for first year coach Mike Eaves.
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