The final score didn’t do justice to Wisconsin’s effort.
The Badgers men’s hockey team dropped its first game of the season, a 7-4 decision to No. 2 Michigan on Friday, Nov. 7 at Yost Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The contest was UW’s toughest test of the season, but it was up to the challenge. The Badgers, who are ranked No. 10 in the USCHO poll, scored back-to-back goals during the second and third periods, killed four penalties against the nation’s No. 1 power play and owned a one-goal lead with 10 minutes to play.
Michigan took its game up a notch from there. It scored four times during the final 10 minutes, twice against an empty net during the final 2 minutes, and had 12 shots at the net.
The final dropped UW to 6-1-2 overall and 2-1 in the Big Ten. Michigan is 10-1 and 3-0.
A different Wisconsin player scored each of its goals. Ten players scored a point for the Badgers in a back-and-forth matchup that produced four lead changes.
But Wisconsin also was probably kicking itself for two of the goals it allowed.
In the first period freshman goalie Daniel Hauser made a save but the Badgers couldn’t clear the puck and Wolverines junior Garrett Schifsky scored the game’s first goal at the 7:50 mark.
Michigan’s second score came after Hauser fumbled the puck behind the net, opening the door for freshman Malcolm Spence to take advantage of the unattended goal at the 10:33 mark of the second period to tie the game, 2-2.
Right on the money 🤑
Botts with his fourth of the year!
🍎: Logan Hensler & Oliver Tulk pic.twitter.com/monbpjMjSs
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) November 8, 2025
Simon Tassy, Ryan Botterill scored third period goals for UW
UW was in good shape midway through the final period after a power play goal by senior Simon Tassy and an even strength score by sophomore Ryan Botterill from his knees gave it a 4-3 lead at the 10:42 mark.
The Badgers owned the third period at that point, allowing just one shot at the net during the first 10 minutes.
But the tone changed quickly. Thirty-six seconds after Botterill’s score, Michigan tied the game.
Then sophomore Will Horcoff, who entered play as the Big Ten’s second-leading goal scorer, put away the game-winner unassisted. He knocked down the puck to keep it in the Michigan zone, avoided Tassy then beat senior Ben Dexheimer and Hauser for a score at the 16:16 mark of third period.
Game 2 of the series begins at 7 p.m. Saturday. Big Ten Network will handle the broadcast.
HOLY COW WHAT A GOAL!! Will Horcoff just keeps delivering jaw-dropping, game-breaking goals! That’s his 11th of the season in only 11 games. This kid is playing on a completely different level — pure dominance every single night.
— Pens Prospects (@pensprospects_) November 8, 2025
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: No. 2 Michigan hands Wisconsin men’s hockey first loss of season
