Badgers fall to Northern Michigan in Granato's debut

Head coach Tony Granato may be here to revive the struggling University of Wisconsin men's hockey team, but his rebuilding project hit an early snag Friday.

The Badgers fell 3-2 to Northern Michigan in their regular-season opener, despite a furious comeback in the third period.

Gerard Hanson put the Badgers in a 1-0 hole just 19 seconds into the game, before Wisconsin's Will Johnson responded on the power play just four minutes later to make it 1-1.

Robbie Payne gave the Wildcats the lead once again midway through the first period, scoring Northern Michigan's only power play goal.

Troy Loggins scored the game-winner in the second period, putting the Wildcats up 3-1, before the Badgers battled back in the third.

Corbin McGuire cut Northern Michigan's lead to 3-2 early in the third period, as the Badgers peppered goalie Atte Tolvanen, outshooting the Wildcats 15-4 in the final stanza.

The Badgers capitalized just once on eight power play opportunities,

Goaltender Matt Jurusik made 16 saves for the Badgers, while Tolvanen made 27 saves in the win.