Badgers sweep Minnesota, move into first place in the Big Ten

The Wisconsin Badgers swept their way into first place in the Big Ten standings by beating the No. 2 Minnesota Gophers 8-1 on Saturday at 3M Arena at Mariucci.

Six different Badgers found the back of the net, including a pair of goals each by Roman Ahcan and Ty Emberson.

The Badgers struck first just four minutes into the game as Ahcan tipped the puck past Minnesota goaltender Jack LaFontaine for an early 1-0 lead.

Later in the period, Dylan Holloway scored on the power play at 8:25 to give the Badgers a two-goal lead.

The Gophers responded with a tally of their own, but Emberson restored the Badgers’ two-goal advantage, scoring his first of the season at 15:55.

Ty Pelton-Byce scored a quick goal just 42 seconds into the second period to give the Badgers a 4-1 lead, and just seconds later, Ahcan scored his second of the game.

Jack Gorniak added an unassisted goal at 17:11 in the second as the Badgers headed into the final period up 6-1.

Emberson tallied his second goal of the game at 9:36, before Cole Caufield joined the scoring barrage for the Badgers’ eighth tally of the night.

Wisconsin freshman goaltender Cameron Rowe stopped 27 of the 28 shots he faced.