Dec. 31, 2004

Andrew Joudrey's sudden death goal in the second round of shootouts advanced host and No. 4 Wisconsin past Yale in men's hockey at the Badger Hockey Showdown before 11,877 at the Kohl Center.

The Bulldogs (1-11-1), who gain a tie on their record, skated to a 1-1 draw but lost the shootout, 3-2, and will face Clarkson in the consolation game on Saturday. Wisconsin's shootout win, which spoiled an amazing, 26-save performance by goalie Matt Modelski, placed the Badgers in the championship game against Ferris State.

"It was by far the best defensive effort of the season for us. All six defensemen were focused," said Yale head coach Tim Taylor. "I would have liked to see this game played out to the end but I understand the need for this format."

Neither team found the net in the opening frame, but Yale, which had the best opportunity on a late Zach Mayer breakaway, outshot the Badgers (13-5-1) by one. The good news for the Blue was a Wisconsin team averaging better than 31 shots a game had just five on net.

The Badgers, 9-0 this season when lighting the lamp first, were able to put eight more on Modelski in the second period but the underdog Bulldogs clung to a scoreless tie. Brian Elliott needed four saves in the middle frame to keep Yale off the board. The Elis did not play as well defensively compared to the first 20 minutes, giving up three odd-man rushes.

Solid play in net and excellent penalty killing by Yale led to the game's first goal. Forward Brad Mills carried around the right slot and into the net area before sliding a backhander on goal that bounced out to Joe Zappala in the slot. The Yale junior, who led the country with nine game-winning goals last winter, one-timed the puck on the ice past Elliott's left pad at 8:10 for the 1-0 lead and his fourth goal of the year.

The lead did not last long, a minute and 51 seconds to be exact. The shock waves that resulted in Kohl Center silence turned to vibrating elation. Joe Pavelski took a feed from Robbie Earl and blasted a shot from the right circle that flew past Modelski's glove at 10:01.

Modelski, made 14 stops in the third period and most of them came during a wild last eight minutes that saw the sophomore diving all over the crease to thwart quality chances. Earlier in the frame he had made four saves on a 4-on-3 and clearly was the star of the game for the Elis.

Modelski did not have to make a save in the overtime, though Wisconsin did put some rubber around the goal. Yale put one shot on Elliott but most of the play was around the neutral zone.

"It was the best experience of my life, but I'm very unhappy that we did not make it to the championship," said Modelski. "It was the best game I've seen us play in two years."

If Modelski, who was trying to win the top job, felt pressure in the first 65 minutes, he would get an added dose in his first collegiate shootout. After both coaches picked their five players to take the shots on each goalie, Modelski stopped the first two Wisconsin attempts in the shootout and looked like he might get the Bulldogs to the upset. Mills and Christian Jensen scored for the Bulldogs but the Badgers came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits to advance to the championship game with a 3-2 victory.

"I was worried about my dad having a heart attack in the stands," said Elliott, who finished with 20 saves. "I wanted to check to see if he was ok after the first round."

"I like to come out and challenge the shooters and make them deke, it does not matter which side they go," said Modelski. "It was a fun experience with the crowd and the atmosphere, but I just wish we could have advanced."

Wisconsin, which has a dozen National Hockey League draft picks on its roster, was without two of its young stars, forward Jake Dowell and defenseman Jeff Likens, both of whom are skating with the U.S. National Junior Team at the World Championships in Grand Forks, N.D.

Yale takes on the Golden Knights at 4:07 p.m. C.S.T on Saturday. Four different Bulldogs scored goals for Ferris State in game one of the Badger Showdown in a 4-1 victory over the Golden Knights, who are coming to Ingalls Rink in a week. Clarkson forward Jay Latulippe nailed his eighth goal of the year and Dustin Traylen made 23 saves as his squad was outshot 27-23.

The Bulldogs arrived in Madison on Thursday afternoon after flying into Chicago and taking a bus to Badger land. All four teams skated at a local rink that day before meeting up at a tournament banquet at the Kohl Center. The Elis, who suited up 21 of the 24 players on the trip, had a noon practice today in the 15,000-seat arena and did not report any injury concerns. Junior blueliner Mike Grobe, who has missed the last eight games with an injury, was the only non-healthy scratch.

First Round Shootout

Mills top shelf backhand is a goal...1-0 Yale

Earl backhand on the ice was stopped by Modelski...1-0 Yale

Hristovski snap shot from close was blocked by Elliott...1-0 Yale

Joudrey deke move was stopped by Modelski... 1-0 Yale

Zappala deke and forehand was blocked by Elliott...1-0 Yale

Pavelski deke and forehand went past Modelski's glove...1-1

Jensen deked right and went left before scoring...2-1 Yale

Ford's great fake and went around Modelski to score...2-2

Jackson's move was thwarted by Elliott...2-2

MacMurchy forehand was blocked by Modelski...2-2

Sudden Death Shootout

Mills shot early for five-hole and Elliott made stop... 2-2

Earl tried a deke and went forehand but it was blocked...2-2

Hristovski tried to go top shelf but missed the net...2-2

Joudrey faked right, went forehand low to beat Modelski...3-2 Wisconsin

report filed by Steve Conn, Yale Sports Publicity Director