Blake Montgomery and the Wisconsin Badgers are one step away from collegiate immortality after securing a hard-fought 2-1 victory over North Dakota in the opening semi-final of the 2026 DI Men’s Ice Hockey Championship.
In a high-stakes encounter at the heart of Las Vegas, the Badgers demonstrated the clinical edge and defensive resilience that have defined their postseason charge. Wisconsin wasted little time asserting their authority on the contest, finding the breakthrough at the 12:54 mark of the first period when Simon Tassy's clinical finish silenced the North Dakota contingent.
The momentum remained firmly with the Badgers as they doubled their advantage just minutes later. With 13:21 remaining on the first-period clock, Ryan Botterill found space to strike, firing home a second that put Wisconsin in a commanding position heading into the first intermission.
North Dakota, traditional heavyweights of the tournament, refused to go quietly and mounted a relentless offensive in the final frame. The pressure eventually told in the third period when Ellis Rickwood found the net with 19:08 remaining on the clock to set up a frantic finale. Despite the late surge, Montgomery and the Wisconsin defense held firm under immense pressure to preserve their narrow lead until the final horn.
The victory ensures Wisconsin’s place in the Division 1 Finals, where they now await the winner of the second semi-final between Denver and Michigan. For Montgomery, the win represents a landmark moment in his collegiate career as he prepares to compete for the biggest prize in American university hockey on the grandest stage of all.
|
