PROVIDENCE SHUT OUT BY WISCONSIN, 5-0

MADISON, Wis. -- The University of Wisconsin scored early and went on to defeat the Providence College men's hockey team, 5-0, Saturday night in the consolation game of the Badger Hockey Showdown in Madison, Wis. Wisconsin's Shane Connelly made 26 saves to earn his second career shutout.

The Badgers needed 47 seconds to take a 2-0 first period lead. Ben Grotting opened the scoring 23 seconds into the game as he scored his second goal of the season. Twenty-four seconds later, Ben Street scored off a scrum in front of the net to give Wisconsin the early edge. The Friars created several scoring opportunities in the first period, including Colin McDonald (Wethersfield, Conn.) who ripped a slap shot off the left post on the power play. PC had a two-man advantage power play and Tony Zancanaro (Trenton, Mich.) nearly cut the UW lead in half, but his shot from the slot was stopped by Connelly.

The Badgers added another goal at 9:59 of the second period to make the score, 3-0. John Mitchell slipped the puck at the right face off circle to Matthew Ford, who eluded a PC defenseman and lifted a backhander past PC goalie Tyler Sims (Grand Blanc, Mich.). Wisconsin capped off the scoring in the third period with a pair of empty-net goals.

The Friars are back in action on Friday, January 5 when they host Hockey East foe Boston University at Schneider Arena.