Badgers 4, Mavericks 3 (OT)

Freddy's three thoughts of the game ...

1. What just happened? That, indeed, was Minnesota State goaltender Stephon Williams in the penalty box during the third period. By rule (rule 28.2, to be exact (thanks, Todd Milewski!), a goalie must serve a penalty if he takes a major penalty. Williams was called for grabbing Jefferson Dahl's facemask and pulling his helmet off during a pile-up in the Mavericks goal. Williams said he was bent back awkwardly and it was instinct to grab something. Dahl was called for charging Williams, and the goalie, too, went to the box for 5 minutes. Phil Cook came in for the stretch, as MSU killed the penalty, but Wisconsin scored on him before Williams could get a whistle and get out of the box.

2. It's been awhile: Wisconsin won a WCHA game overtime for the first time since 2007 and extended its unbeaten streak this season to nine games (6-0-3). The last time the Badgers lost was Thanksgiving weekend when Minnesota State swept them in Madison. John Ramage, Wisconsin's senior defenseman and captain, scored the game-winner with 32 seconds remaining in overtime. Dahl's goal gave Wisconsin a 3-2 lead late, but MSU's Matt Leitner scored his second goal of the game with 1:51 to play in regulation, forcing overtime.

3. Tight race: Friday's result tightened up the WCHA race (see below), and MSU coach Mike Hastings described the game as a playoff-type of game. It was a hard, physical game that went back and forth throughout the night (although the Mavericks never had the lead). Williams was very good in the second period, but the Badgers went into the third with a 2-1 lead. Before the chaos with Williams and his penalty, MSU senior defenseman Tyler Elbrecht scored his first goal of the season and the third of his career to tie the game at 2.

Deep thought: The Verizon Wireless Center crowd sounded great late in the game, but attendance was 3,468. Students aren't all back at MSU yet, but one would think the 4,000 mark would have been touched considering the way the Mavericks have been playing and with the Badgers in town.

Read The Free Press game story here.

Around the WCHA: Minnesota Duluth 1, Michigan Tech 0 ... Colorado College 4, North Dakota 3 ... Minnesota 4, Alaska Anchorage 3 ... Denver 7, Nebraska Omaha 4

WCHA standings
1. Denver 19 points
1. Nebraska Omaha 19
3. St. Cloud State 18
4. Minnesota 17
4. North Dakota 17
6. Minnesota State 16
7. Minnesota Duluth 15
7. Wisconsin 15
9. Colorado College 13
10. Bemidji State 11
11. Michigan Tech 9
12. Alaska Anchorage 5