Blake Montgomery and his No. 5 Wisconsin teammates were left frustrated at the Kohl Center as a late third-period surge saw the No. 8 Penn State Nittany Lions secure a 3-1 victory and a weekend sweep.
The Badgers had looked poised to salvage a result from the series after a disciplined defensive display in the opening two frames. Wisconsin took the lead 6:50 into the first period in spectacular fashion while shorthanded. Tyson Dyck pounced on a turnover and threaded a clinical pass to Christian Fitzgerald, who broke clear of the defence and slotted the puck through the five-hole of Penn State goaltender Kevin Reidler.
Montgomery, a freshman standout and Ottawa Senators prospect, was at the heart of Wisconsin's efforts to double their advantage. The Bermudian was denied twice by Reidler in high-stakes moments—first on a sharp chance late in the second period and again in the third after gloving down a pass from Oliver Tulk for a clear look at goal.
Despite outshooting their opponents 41-33, the hosts could not find the insurance goal they desperately needed. Penn State eventually found their breakthrough 4:54 into the final period when JJ Wiebusch fired home to level the scores. The momentum shifted firmly toward the visitors at 13:08 as Reese Laubach reacted quickest to a rebound to give the Nittany Lions their first lead of the night.
Wisconsin pulled their goaltender in the final minutes in a frantic search for an equalizer, but the gamble failed to pay off. Gavin McKenna intercepted a clearance and fired into the empty net from distance at 19:07 to confirm the sweep for the Nittany Lions.
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