After dropping Game 1 in a 5-4 loss, No. 1 Michigan State hockey looked to split its series with No. 7 Wisconsin. MSU played tighter defense and sharper offense than the previous night, but gave up a power-play goal in the second period. Despite tying the game in the final period, the Spartans lost 2-1 in overtime.

"Credit to Wisconsin, I think they're the best team we played this year," Nightingale said. "To stay with it, to tie it up with 20 seconds there, I think that says a lot about our group and what we want to be as a program."

The Badgers had an advantage early in the game after Spartan senior forward Charlie Stramel was sent to the box. This posed a challenge as Wisconsin scored its first goal on the power play the previous night. 

However, MSU played well in front of junior goaltender Trey Augustine, sending the puck into the Badgers’ defensive zone three times, earning a short-handed shot on goal before killing the penalty. 

After returning to even strength, Augustine made a diving save off a shot by forward Oliver Tulk to keep the scoreboard empty. 

The Spartans saw scoring opportunities, attacking crowded nets and winning foot races. Despite giving up a couple breakaways, the team’s defense improved in front of Augustine. 

About 15 minutes in, MSU and its crowd were convinced it had scored. Martone fired a shot, collected his own rebound and sent it toward a crowded net. The puck neared the goal line amid several bodies, but Wisconsin defenseman Weston Knox knocked it away. Video review confirmed the play, and both teams remained scoreless entering the first intermission.

Each side entered the second frame sharp, with the Spartans recording three blocks in front of Augustine — although forward Tyson Dyck narrowly missed a goal, just hitting the pipe. 

Just over 10 minutes into the second stanza, the special teams came out. Wisconsin had the man advantage and started a little sloppy, as forward Blake Montgomery mishandled the puck, igniting the Spartan crowd. The Badgers maintained possession, though, allowing Montgomery to slot a shot to the right side of the net, taking a 1-0 lead for Wisconsin. 

Wisconsin managed the puck well, slowing the game behind its net, countering MSU’s forecheck and accelerating in transition. In the final minutes of the period, MSU generated multiple scoring opportunities — the best coming on a rebound chance from senior forward Tiernan Shoudy — but Shoudy hit the post, and the Badgers led 1–0 at the second intermission.

Just 28 seconds into the final frame, MSU saw a great shot off a pass from Martone behind the net to Stramel coming down the middle, but Pulver denied it. 

The Badgers had a chance to extend their lead with forward Quinn Finley facing Augustine alone, but the netminder got the stop. Later in the period, he kept the Spartans in the game with three big saves to kill off another penalty. 

Throughout the third, MSU fought to create offense, but passes were blocked and the team became shorthanded after a penalty. While the Spartans killed the penalty, senior forward Daniel Russell remained in the box due to misconduct. 

As he had done all night, Augustine continued to keep the Spartans in the game, forcing a wide shot from forward Christian Fitzgerald on a one-on-one. 

MSU continued to push, removing Augustine for an extra skater and forcing Pulver to deny them. 

With 39 seconds left in regulation, the Spartans answered. 

Their leading goal scorer Martone took a feed from freshman forward Ryker Lee behind the net and forced the puck past Pulver, netting his 10th goal of the season.

"I think it kind of was a reward for our whole team," Martone said. "I feel like we worked there in the third period to try to come back in the game. Maybe we're getting the bounces or they're going in called big saves, but we knew we're going to get one there to tie up the game."

Despite a couple faceoffs, the game went to overtime. 

Both teams were patient with the puck, as Augustine made a save on the first shot just 90 seconds in. While junior forward Tommi Männistö and Lee each earned breakaways, Pulver denied the Spartans. Wisconsin senior defenseman and captain Ben Dexheimer scored the game-winning goal, giving the Badgers a 2–1 victory.

With the loss the Spartans move to 9-3-0 overall, 4-2-0 in Big Ten play. The loss in Game 1 ended their nine-game win streak.

"We knew the season wasn't going to go just flat and just straight away win every game," Martone said. "That's just not how hockey works. And you know, I think it's good for our group to kind of go over this right now. We got to figure out ways to win hockey games. You got to figure out different ways to win."

MSU will return to home ice on Wednesday, Nov. 26 to host Colgate in a two-game series. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. EST on Big Ten Plus.