Photo: Robert Killips ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State’s season ended Saturday afternoon as the Spartans fell 4-3 in overtime to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament regional final at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts. In a tense rivalry matchup, Wisconsin scored just 20 seconds into overtime to advance to the Frozen Four, erasing a late Michigan State lead.
The game was slow and physical early before scoring opened in the second period. Wisconsin broke through first, but Michigan State responded with goals from junior forward Gavin O’Connell and junior defenseman Patrick Geary to take a 2-1 lead late in the period. The Spartans carried that momentum into the third, extending the lead to 3-1 on a power-play goal by senior defenseman Matt Basgall with under 12 minutes to play.
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(CONTINUED) Wisconsin answered with two goals in a 34-second span midway through the third period. Freshman defenseman Luke Osburn and sophomore forward Gavin Morrissey scored to tie the game at 3 and force overtime. Michigan State junior goaltender Trey Augustine made 34 saves, while Wisconsin freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser stopped 27 shots, including several late in regulation.
Overtime ended quickly. Wisconsin sophomore forward Ben Dexheimer scored the game-winning goal 20 seconds into the extra period off an assist from Morrissey. Michigan State finished 2 for 3 on the power play and won 40 faceoffs, but Wisconsin’s late push proved decisive. The loss ended the Spartans’ season one win short of a Frozen Four appearance.
