Badgers Blanked by Alaska in Season Opener

This is the first time the Badgers have ever been shutout on their season opening night in the Mike Eaves era. Moreover it's the first shutout the Badgers have faced in their season opener since 1936. Davis Jones might just be a curse word in the Badger locker room for a while...

To start the game, Wisconsin started off controlling play for the first two minutes. But Alaska got their legs pretty quickly though and realized that they were faster on the bigger ice and started taking it to the Badgers with some sustained pressure. The only thing Wisconsin had an edge on was faceoff draws. Even through the 2nd period, the Nanooks just looked like they were in control. Outskating and outworking the Badgers all over the ice.

The offense for the 'Nooks struggled to break through though. Even though Wisconsin at a disadvantaged, they stayed disciplined around the net and in their own zone. Created some troubles for the 'Nooks to get good scoring angles. Then Colton Parayko just took over. On the power play, Ray took a shot inside of the blue line but his stick just disintegrated in his hands. 

After getting a fresh twig, Basara found Parayko creeping down from the right defensive post just below the top of the faceoff circle and ripped a one timer over the blocker of Wisconsin's senior goaltender Landon Peterson for the game winner. 

The third period was a bit more well contested late. The Nanooks opened the first 12 minutes without allowing a single shot, but the Badgers got some pressure in crunch time. But the Nanooks defense held strong. And Davis Jones was up to the task when he had to be. Badgers got some quality chances, including a rebound off a shot from the point that came off Jones' pad and landed right on the stick of Adam Rockwood. Jones hopped over and got the shot with his blocker on, in my opinion, the highlight of the game.

The story remains the same for the 'Nooks tomorrow as they get set to face the Main Black Bears. But tonight, the Nanooks shutout the #10 team in the country, and a goal from the Nanooks' captain Colton Parayko made the difference.

Go Nooks!

Listen to the Post-Game Interviews with Davis Jones, Colton Parayko, and Dallas Ferguson