MADISON, Wis.—Justin Schultz scored the game-winning goal midway through the third period as third-ranked Wisconsin beat top-ranked Denver 4-3 to deny the Pioneers a chance to move into first place in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
Craig Smith and Jordy Murray had a goal and an assist each for the Badgers (14-6-3, 10-5-2 WCHA), who moved within two points of conference-leading Minnesota-Duluth and one point behind Denver (14-6-3, 10-4-3).
Denver went into the weekend series in position to overtake Minnesota-Duluth for first place in the WCHA. But the Pioneers settled for a 3-3 tie on Friday, then lost while UMD was being swept by Bemidji State in a nonconference series.
The Badgers took a 3-1 lead on goals by Ben Street, Smith and Murray sandwiching Matt Donovan’s goal for Denver.
Rhett Rakhshani pulled the Pioneers within one and Tyler Ruegsegger’s tied it on the power play at 6:36 of the third period. Denver was 2-for-5 on the power play. Rakhshani also had an assist.
Donovan had a goal and two assists for Denver.
Five minutes after Ruegsegger’s goal, Schultz scored with an assist by Derek Stepan.
Brett Bennett made 30 saves, 13 in the third period for the Badgers. Marc Cheverie made 34 saves for Denver.
