ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Badgers recorded their first win of the 2010-11 season on Sunday afternoon by defeating Holy Cross 6-0 in the consolation game of the Ice Breaker Tournament.
The No. 13 Badgers outshot Holy Cross, 38-28, as senior goaltender Brett Bennett (Williamsville, N.Y.) received the shutout win in his season debut, recording 28 saves.
The Badgers scored first when senior Podge Turnbull (Hayward, Wis.) knocked in a loose puck at the side of the net at 8:07 of the first period. Freshman Tyler Barnes (Eagan, Minn.) recorded his first collegiate point with an assist on the play.
The Badger special teams made a significant stand in the first period to preserve the lead. After two consecutive penalties against Wisconsin, Holy Cross received 1:26 of a 5-on-3 advantage. The Badger defense held and killed off both penalties.
The Badgers increased their lead to 2-0 in the second period when Craig Smith (Madison, Wis.) lit the lamp with a spectacular individual effort. Smith deked out the Holy Cross defenseman, and finished the tremendous play by putting home his first of the season. The goal, at 4:07 of the second period, was assisted by Jake Gardiner (Minnetonka, Minn.).
Derek Lee (North Vancouver, B.C.) scored his second goal of the season at 18:00 of the second period. With the Badgers on the power-play, Lee knocked in a rebound of a Turnbull shot.
Just 41 seconds later, Ryan Little (Fond du Lac, Wis.) scored his second goal of the season, and his career to increase the Badger lead to 4-0. Little started with the puck behind the goal, and then put in a back-handed shot at 18:41 of the second period.
In third period, freshman Michael Mersch (Park Ridge, Ill.) scored his first collegiate goal to give the Badgers a 5-0. Mersch deflected in a shot from captain Sean Dolan (St. Louis, Mo.) at 8:08 of the third period. Freshman Jason Clark (Eden Prairie, Minn.) set up the play by outskating two defenders to reach the puck.
Craig Smith finished the scoring for the Badgers with a power-play goal at 18:25 of the third period, his second goal of the game.
The Badgers finished the day 2-for-6 on the power-play, holding Holy Cross to a 0-for-6 mark with the man advantage.
The win brings the Badgers to (1-1-0) on the season, and drops Holy Cross to (0-2-0).
Next week the Badgers open their home slate at the Kohl Center with two games against the University of Alabama - Huntsville. The games are Friday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m.
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