By Matt Mackinder/Michigan Beat WriterThe Camp Randall Hockey Classic was everything Michigan thought it would be taking on Wisconsin last Saturday evening at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison.
A win would have been nice, too, but two late power-play goals by Detroit Red Wings prospect Brendan Smith gave the Badgers a 3-2 victory over the Wolverines in front of 55,031 fans at the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game.
"Playing at Yost Arena, we have a great atmosphere there, so coming in here it was nice playing outside and it was a great atmosphere here with the fans," said Scooter Vaughan, one of two Michigan goal-scorers. "It was a great event put on. We practiced here yesterday, so we were ready for the game. It was all business when we stepped on the ice."
Kevin Lynch's goal gave Michigan the lead in the third, but then penalties opened the door for Wisconsin as Smith scored at 14:28 and 18:38.
"I thought it was a great event that Wisconsin put on," Michigan head coach Red Berenson said. "These outdoor games are truly classics. Its a great experience for all the players, coaches, fans and so on. As far as the game, the weather was perfect. I liked our team. We came back from a 1-0 deficit on Scooter's goal and went ahead in the third period on Lynch's goal.
"If it weren't for the penalties that happened in the last five minutes we'd be sitting here talking about a victory, but that didn't happen. We couldn't kill their power play."
Bryan Hogan finished with 24 stops for Michigan, now 16-13-1 overall (11-9-1-0 CCHA).
The Wolverines conclude their stretch of three games in six days on Tuesday when they host Bowling Green at Yost Ice Arena. The game is slated to start at 7:35 p.m. and will be televised by Comcast (Channel 900). Michigan then heads to Nebraska-Omaha for a pair this weekend.
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