Wisconsin men's hockey earns massive resume-boosting win

Badgers defeat No. 2 Michigan Wolverines 4-1 in series opener

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team earned a crucial 4-1 victory over the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines, boosting their positioning in the NCAA Percentage Index and chances of clinching home ice for the first round of the Big Ten conference tournament. The win came at a critical time, as the Badgers were barely on the right side of the NCAA Tournament bubble entering the weekend.

Why it matters

This victory over a highly ranked opponent is a major resume-booster for the Wisconsin hockey team, improving their chances of making the NCAA Tournament. The Badgers were in a precarious position before this game, so this win could be the difference-maker in securing a spot in the postseason.

The details

Wisconsin outplayed Michigan for most of the game, particularly in the final two periods after allowing a first-period power-play goal to the Wolverines. Badgers forward Jack Horbach had an outstanding two-way effort, forcing a critical turnover that led to Wisconsin's go-ahead goal. Goaltender Eli Pulver also stepped up with 22 saves, bouncing back from some shaky outings earlier this season. Center Grady Deering contributed a pair of assists and a career-high eight shots on goal.

  • The game was played on Friday, February 21, 2026.

The players

Jack Horbach

A Wisconsin Badgers forward who had an assist and an empty-net goal to seal the victory.

Eli Pulver

The Wisconsin Badgers' sophomore goaltender who made 22 saves in the win.

Grady Deering

A Wisconsin Badgers center who had two assists and a career-high eight shots on goal.

Mike Hastings

The head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team.

Vasily Zelenov

The Wisconsin Badgers forward who scored the go-ahead goal in the second period.

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What they’re saying

“I thought in the second period on, we played a lot better than we did in the first, and I didn't think we were poor in the first.”

— Mike Hastings, Wisconsin Badgers head coach (si.com)

“He's a student of the game. He wants to get better every week. He critiques himself very well, and what I mean by that is he's a really good self-evaluator. He doesn't pat himself too much on the back when he does well. And when he doesn't, he takes it to heart and understands that he needs to look at some things to get better. He's getting better every week and we need that to continue.”

— Mike Hastings, Wisconsin Badgers head coach (si.com)

What’s next

The Badgers and Wolverines will play the second game of their series on Saturday, February 22, 2026.

The takeaway

This crucial win over a top-ranked opponent boosts Wisconsin's chances of making the NCAA Tournament, proving the Badgers can compete with the best teams in the country. The team's resilience and strong two-way play were key factors in this resume-building victory.