Badgers claim 2021 Holiday Face-Off Championship
Wisconsin defeats Providence 3-2 in shootout win
MILWAUKEE— The Wisconsin Badgers battled back from a 2-0, third period deficit to win the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off in a dramatic 3-2 shootout over No. 16 Providence on Wednesday at Fiserv Forum.
The Badgers (6-12-2, 3-7-0 1-1-0 Big Ten) overcame a multi-goal deficit in the third period thanks to a tenacious offensive effort after the Friars (15-7-1, 6-5-0 HEA) forced them on their heels midway through the game.
After a scoreless first period, Providence broke the ice at 12:06 in the second with a goal from Matt Koopman in a scramble in the crease. Uula Ruikka directed the puck on net where Koopman got his stick on it and lifted it into the goal for a 1-0 lead.
The Friars took a 2-0 lead just a minute later. Max Crozier sent the puck deep into the Badgers’ zone where Cody Monds won possession in a battle behind the net and sent the puck back to Alex Esposito who fired a wrist shot from the slot.
The Badgers were faced with a two-goal deficit heading into the final period.
Corson Ceulemans cut the Friars’ lead in half on a lucky bounce two minutes into the third period. The freshman defenseman got control of the puck as it rang around the boards and launched a bad-angle shot towards the net.
The Badgers continued the fight. Mathieu De St. Phalle notched the game-tying goal at 15:55 of the third period. Ceulemans walked into the slot and took a shot on net where Carson Bantle jumped on the rebound, but it was De St. Phalle who pushed the puck over the goal line.
De St. Phalle’s goal forced the game into 3-on-3 overtime where the Badgers dominated with numerous quality chances but Providence goaltender Jaxon Strauber wasn’t letting anything through.
While the game will go on the record as a 2-2 tie, a shootout was needed to determine the Holiday Face-Off Champion. Badgers goaltender Jared Moe stood tall in net, stopping five of six Friar shooters. Brock Caufield and Zach Urdahl scored in the shootout to win the tournament for the Badgers.
In addition to his outstanding shootout performance, Moe made 31 saves on the night.
Notes to know:
• Corson Ceulemans tallied a goal and an assist for a two-point night
• Mathieu De St. Phalle has points in his last four games
• The Badgers have scored 19 of their 38 goals this season in the 3rd period
• Mathieu De St. Phalle was named most outstanding forward of the tournament
• Corson Ceulemans was named most outstanding defenseman
Next Up: The Badgers play host to Ohio State at the Kohl Center Friday and Saturday Jan. 7-8. Puck drop on Friday is set for 7 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday.
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