Wisconsin dominate from start to finish in statement weekend against Notre Dame

There were many questions surrounding the Wisconsin Badgers heading into the year after just making the National Championship. Many thought they didn’t have the firepower to be back there, but after this past weekend against Notre Dame, those questions were all answered. 

They beat the Irish 16-2 across the two games, with the Saturday matchup finishing 9-1 to start conference play this season. 

Wisconsin dominated puck possession in the offensive zone through both games, and they showed more than just flashes of an elite team. Early on, their offensive philosophy was simple: get bodies to the net and throw pucks on. 

One thing that really helped them was how consistently they had someone in front of the net screening the goalie and, overall, just creating chaos there. 

A goal I want to point out was the goal in game one that made it 3-0. Defenseman Dylan Compton took the puck into the offensive zone, delayed long enough to find a seam for a cross-ice pass, and the Badgers made a quick, decisive passing play to get another goal on the board. 

The second game only reinforced how dangerous Wisconsin can be offensively. The Badgers scored nine goals, with Bruno Idzan leading the way with a hat trick. JJ Wiebusch contributed a goal and three assists, while Logan Hensler added a goal and three assists of his own.

Another key factor for Wisconsin was their physical engagement. When Notre Dame started getting frustrated, the Badgers met that toughness head-on while staying focused on their game plan, relentlessly battling for loose pucks and continuing to establish a heavy presence around the net.

Although Notre Dame isn’t one of the elite teams in the country. Wisconsin looked like a team that had been playing together for 10-plus years and will be a threat for any team going forward.