Hockey | 2/21/2026 4:51:00 PM
Hammond, Ind. - Golden Hockey and the University of Wisconsin Badgers were set for puck drop with Nationals on the line. The Golden Eagles fell 6-3. In net for the Golden Eagles was once again Adam Goody (Jr., G, Airdrie, Alberta) after his 37 save performance in the win over Sault College. For the Badgers, it was Robo Gallum following a 15 save performance in an overtime win over Marian University.
The first period had a quick start, with Mason Romfo (So., F, Langdon, N.D.) opening the scoring just 27 seconds in. Fox Dodds (5th, F, Watford City, N.D.) had the assist. The Golden Eagles had all of the momentum early on, but Gallum stood tall. 5:17 into the period, Carson Gunderson tied the game at one. Just two and a half minutes later, Cole Laden gave the Badgers the lead. The game got a lot more physical following the Badgers' second goal, and both teams had a few more quality chances, but the goalies stood tall. The second period came to a close with the Golden Eagles trailing 2-1.
The second period was a high scoring affair, and not in favor of the Golden Eagles. Alex Pottratz scored just a minute into the period to put the Badgers ahead by two. Two minutes later, Logan Syrup (5th, F, Park River, N.D.) deflected an Anthony Foster (Jr., F, Warroad, Minn.) shot from the point on the powerplay to put the Golden Eagles down by a goal. Three minutes later, Aiden Morelli (Sr., F, Minot, N.D.) fired a shot into the top left corner to bring the game back even. Ben Hines (Jr., F, Detroit Lakes, Minn.) had the assist. Just three and a half minutes later, on a strange bounce, Cole Laden had his second of the game to regain the lead for the Badgers. Seven and a half minutes later, Maximos Wendt scored to put the Badgers up by a pair. The Badgers were not done there though, as Justin Schneider gave them a 6-3 lead with 55 seconds left in the period. The Badgers took that lead into the final 20.
There was a goalie change to start the third period, with Tyler Swanson (So., G, Moorhead, Minn.) taking the net. The third period was a goalless period, leading to the 6-3 loss for the Golden Eagles. Swanson saved all seven shots he faced. This is the second year in a row that the Golden Eagles fell one game short of the National Tournament.
