Frozen Four Live Blog: Wisconsin Dominates RIT, Advances to National Championship

Wisconsin 8-1, final: Wisconsin reaffirmed the belief that it’s the best team in the country, and it will be favored to win the national championship no matter who wins the late game. That was a dominating performance by the Badgers, who dismantled an RIT team that looked out of place for 60 minutes. 

Third period, 2:12, Wisconsin 8-1: Here’s an extra garbage goal for good measure. Credit Derek Stepan for the Badgers’ second score in 20 seconds.

Third period, 2:32, Wisconsin 7-1: Wisconsin has officially kicked the extra point. Craig Smith scores from down low to extend the lead. What I find funny is the amount of fans who got out of their seats and are heading for the exits. Like that was the goal that really crushed their hopes?

Third period, 5:05, Wisconsin 6-1: The RIT students have done their best to remain active in the third period. Good for them for taking advantage of this opportunity.

Third period, 7:36, Wisconsin 6-1: Some guy just threw a temper tantrum because a couple of security guards wouldn’t let him move up a section. The place is emptying out a little bit, so I can see where he’s coming from. But don’t have a hissy fit if you were too cheap to shell out the extra fin for the better seats in the first place.

Third period, 14:20, Wisconsin 6-1: There’s a good turnout here. It’s not jammed out, but there are very few open pockets of seats. However, the sound doesn’t carry well in here since only half of the building is full. The fans are into it, but the place has lacked jump throughout the night.

Third period, 19:16, Wisconsin 6-1: Just one period remaining in the first game. The outcome has long since been decided, but it’s important for Wisconsin to close it out on a strong note to keep its momentum going into Saturday.

End of second period, Wisconsin 6-1: That period took about an hour, but it probably felt like a week for the Tigers, who surrendered four goals and lost Mark Cornacchia to a game misconduct.

Second period, 0:28, Wisconsin 6-1: Hey, the Tigers are on the board. Tyler Brenner’s one-timer from beneath the left circle hits the back of the net, and RIT’s fans have their first chance to get excited about something in this game.

Second period, 3:45, Wisconsin 6-0: Michigan State coach Rick Comley is in attendance and was just interviewed on the video boards. He received a warm welcome from the home fans in attendance.

Second period, 6:36, Wisconsin 6-0: And another five-on-three goal for the Badgers. Blake Geoffrion, who will probably win the Hobey Baker on Friday, was credited with that tally. If you’re counting at home, the Tigers have seven shots, and the Badgers have six goals.

Second period, 8:45, Wisconsin 5-0: Michael Davies scores with the Badgers on a two-man advantage, and Wisconsin is making a push for double figures.

Second period, 9:34, Wisconsin 4-0: First, Tyler Mazzei gets whistled for his third penalty of the game (contact to the head/roughing), then Mark Cornacchia gets a five-minute major and game misconduct for hitting from behind. Just a few minutes ago, the video boards highlighted Cornacchia for receiving an award for having the highest grade-point average (3.85) in the Frozen Four. Apparently, he’s book smart but not very street smart.

Second period, 15:34, Wisconsin 4-0: Fairly surprising turn of events here. Wisconsin’s Justin Schultz sends the puck toward the skates of Jared DeMichiel from in tight at the goal line. The whistle blows, and the officials decide to review the play. After the viewing, they determine that the puck squirted into the net, and the Badgers now have a four-goal advantage less than halfway into this game.

Second period, 17:17, Wisconsin 3-0: Alan Mazur cheated, and he’ll serve two minutes for cross-checking. This is Wisconsin’s third power play of the game.

Second period, 17:42, Wisconsin 3-0: This probably wasn’t in RIT’s formula. Jordy Murray potted the Badgers’ third goal, and they’re cruising toward their first appearance in the national championship game since 2006.

Second period, 19:59, Wisconsin 2-0: They’ve resumed play in Hockey Town.

End of first period, Wisconsin 2-0: Wisconsin dominated the opening 20 minutes and has a two-goal lead to show for it. RIT needs to open it up in the next period, but with that, it will run the risk of making a mistake, getting caught out of position and letting Wisconsin extend its advantage. But if the Tigers continue to play at this pace, they’ve got no shot to keep up with the superior Badgers.

First period, 1:13, Wisconsin 2-0: The Tigers look scared to take any chances in the Wisconsin zone, and their power play is uneventful. That was their first real chance to make some noise with the puck, and they let it pass them by. Wisconsin was far more aggressive on the penalty kill and remains firmly in control of this game.

First period, 3:37, Wisconsin 2-0: Wisconsin forward Andy Bohmbach is sent to the box for hooking, and RIT has its first power play of the game.

First period, 4:31, Wisconsin 2-0: The Tigers remain perfect on the penalty kill and generate a two-on-one chance that is broken up in the Wisconsin zone. Still, the Tigers look outmatched, and it’s going to take a serious change of pace for them to get themselves back in this game.

First period, 6:50, Wisconsin 2-0: Tyler Mazzei is in the box for the second time, this time for cross-checking. RIT is living dangerously, giving the Badgers their second power play with this two-goal lead.

First period, 7:49, Wisconsin 2-0: RIT dodges a couple bullets and manages to kill off Mike Janda’s holding penalty.

First period, 10:22, Wisconsin 2-0: Many of us feared this game could get ugly, and it’s starting to turn that way. Wisconsin defenseman Ryan McDonagh’s shot from the point is deflected in front by Derek Stepan, and the puck gets through Jared DeMichiel.

First period, 15:50, Wisconsin 1-0: RIT has a solid contingent in its student section, and there are a good amount of Wisconsin fans scattered throughout the crowd. RIT coach Wayne Wilson said Wednesday the Tigers benefited from playing at a bigger venue because their fans could buy tickets after advancing through their regional. The Frozen Four is typically sold out well in advance, and RIT would have been stuck with its allotment of 600 tickets if this were played at an NHL venue.

First period, 16:29, Wisconsin 1-0: RIT forward Tyler Mazzei and Wisconsin defenseman Ryan McDonagh each get two minutes for hitting after the whistle.

First period, 18:33, Wisconsin 1-0: The Badgers took advantage of a turnover in the RIT zone to keep the puck in that end, and John Mitchell knocked home a loose puck in the slot. Wisconsin has controlled play early on, and this is basically a worst-case scenario for the underdogs.

First period, 19:58, 0-0: The Frozen Four is officially underway at Ford Field in Detroit.

5:03 p.m.: Just spoke to a tournament official who said more than 35,000 tickets have been sold for the event, and that will break the record for the largest crowd to witness an indoor hockey game.

4:46 p.m.: They’ve done a nice job setting up the building for a hockey event, docking the rink in an end zone and angling it from sideline to sideline to get it as close to the crowd as possible. They’ve also set up bleachers on the field and hung a black curtain behind those seats. The curtain has been decorated with national championship banners to make sure it’s not an eyesore. While the crowd continues to file in, it’s still unclear how loud the building will get.

3:27 p.m.: Here are the lines for the first game at Ford Field:

Wisconsin (27-10-4)

Andy Bohmbach-Blake Geoffrion-Craig Smith
Ben Street-Derek Stepan-Michael Davies
John Mitchell-Aaron Bendickson-Jordy Murray
Podge Turnbull-Sean Dolan-Ben Grotting

Brendan Smith-John Ramage
Cody Goloubef-Justin Schultz
Ryan McDonagh-Jake Gardiner

Scott Gudmandson (19-4-4, 2.32, .915)

RIT (28-11-1)

Taylor McReynolds-Mark Cornacchia-Mike Janda
Stevan Matic-Cameron Burt-Sean Murphy
Scott Knowles-Adam Hartley-Brent Alexin
Tyler Mazzei-Andrew Favot-Tyler Brenner

Dan Ringwald-Chris Tanev
Chris Saracino-Chris Haltigin
Alan Mazur-Daniel Spivak

Jared DeMichiel (21-4-1, 1.78, .932)

8:01 a.m.: RIT was the most relaxed team during Wednesday’s practices, having fun on the ice and cracking a number of one-liners during their news conference. The Tigers know they weren’t expected to be here in Detroit, and they’ve taken that nothing-to-lose attitude.

After upsetting Denver and New Hampshire, though, RIT still has some serious work ahead if it wants to engineer an even bigger upset Thursday night at 5 p.m. Wisconsin is widely considered the best team in the country, boasting a stacked roster and a pair of Hobey Baker finalists.

If the Tigers are going to pull off another improbable victory, they’ll need a stellar performance from goalie Jared DeMichiel, who was so relaxed Wednesday that he bragged about his leopard-print cup on national television. That’s the type of fearlessness they’ll need to earn a spot in Saturday’s national championship at Ford Field.