Indiana club hockey opened up its regular season on Friday night in Madison, Wisconsin, taking on the Wisconsin Badgers in its first game of the season. The Badgers speed was too much for the Hoosiers in this one as the Hoosiers fell 3-0
The Badgers came out with a ton of pressure from the opening faceoff, testing Indiana goaltender Hayden Reuhl with a number of chances. Wisconsin controlled possession early forcing the Hoosiers to spend a bunch of time in their own zone. The Hoosiers eventually found their legs as the first period continued. Indiana had their first power play of the night seven minutes into the first period looking to take the lead off the jump. The Hoosiers had multiple chances on the power play including a shot that hit off the post. It was an unsuccessful power play for the Hoosiers which was a common theme for the night. After killing off the penalty, Wisconsin regained control of possession and continued to go to work on the Indiana side of the ice.
The Badgers eventually broke through on the score board when defenseman Nick Johnson found the back of the net to make it 1-0 Wisconsin. The Hoosiers' response included a 5-on-3 power play and multiple chances on the Badger side of the ice but Indiana was unable to capitalize on their chances and the score remained 1-0 Badgers. After the Indiana pressure came to a concussion Wisconsin offense continued to put the pressure on Reuhl and the Indiana defense. Reuhl made several saves to keep the Hoosiers deficit to one.
The Hoosiers continued to try and create opportunities in transition as Jake Rock nearly created a breakaway opportunity but the puck was taken away by the Wisconsin defense. Late in the first period, the Badgers earned themselves another power play and finally found a way to extend their lead. Reid Newkirk fired a slap shot past Reuhl to make it 2-0 Wisconsin. The Badgers had multiple chances to extend their lead throughout the opening frame, and this second goal gave the home team the separation they were looking for.
The second period started much like how the first period ended, as the Badgers continued to put the pressure on the Hoosiers. Wisconsin was able to find the back of the net and expand their lead when Jeremy Shandel found a loose puck on the doorstep of the Indiana net after a mad dash in front of the goal. With Reuhl caught out of position, Shandel was able to finish the play and make it 3-0. Moments later the Hoosiers almost found a quick answer when Rock ripped a shot off the post. Indiana continued to search for their first goal but struggled to keep constant pressure in the Wisconsin end of the ice. The second came to a close with the Badgers shutting down the Hoosiers offense and controlling the puck possession battle. Indiana had multiple chances on the Badgers’ side of the ice but were unable to capitalize on those chances.
For a long duration of the night Wisconsin’s speed and physicality was too much for the Hoosiers. The Badgers created multiple opportunities in transition with their speed catching the Hoosiers’ defense off guard. The Badgers' physicality was hard for the Hoosiers to match tonight. The Hoosiers showed flashes of offenses which included multiple power play chances and a big second period push, but they were unable to find the back of the net.
Indiana fell short tonight and will look to rebound tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. vs the same Wisconsin Badgers team.
