Wisconsin
Gophers men's hockey ties Wisconsin 1-1, loses shootout
Wisconsin has been the stingiest Division I men’s hockey team this season, allowing an average of 1.89 goals per game behind the stellar goaltending of senior Kyle McClellan. So, it should be no surprise that entering Saturday’s series finale against the Gophers, when the Badgers had scored first this season, they had a 16-0-1 record.
Make that 16-0-2.
The Gophers and Badgers tied 1-1 on Saturday night at a sold-out Kohl Center, and Wisconsin garnered the extra point in the Big Ten standings by winning the shootout 2-0 on goals by Owen Finley and William Whitelaw.
Bryce Brodzinski and Rhett Pitlick had unsuccessful shootout attempts for the Gophers (16-7-5, 10-3-2 Big Ten). Minnesota has not scored on any of its 13 shootout attempts this season.
Wisconsin (20-6-2, 11-4-1) won largely on the performance of goalie Kyle McClellan, who made 43 saves. Jack Horbach scored a first-period goal for the Badgers.
Jaxon Nelson tied the score for Minnesota in the second period. But Ryan Chesley’s second-period goal that was overturned and Mason Nevers’ third-period tally that was waved off on the ice stung the Gophers.
“Two horrendous calls,” Gophers coach Bob Motzko said on a postgame radio interview. “That was the best Gopher game in my six years, start to period.”
Justen Close made 22 saves for the Gophers.
The Gophers, who outshot Wisconsin 17-11 in the first period Friday, controlled play early, but McClellan stood tall, denying Mason Nevers on a Nevers on a breakaway at the 4:04 mark and stopping Ryan Chesley with back-to-back saves at 4:55 and 5:00.
Minnesota had the game’s first six shots on goal, but the Badgers cashed in first with Horbach slamming home a rebound of an Owen Lindmark shot that hit the post for a 1-0 lead at 5:54 of the first.
The Badgers continued to pressure, pinning the Gophers in their end and forcing Close to make eight saves by the 10:18 mark.
The Gophers took the game’s first penalty at 13:02 of the first when defenseman Cal Thomas was called for high-sticking in the offensive zone. Minnesota killed the penalty as defenseman Sam Rinzel had three of the Gophers’ six blocked shots during power play.
The kill gave the Gophers a jolt of energy, but McClellan made six saves in a span of 1:45 to keep the Badgers on top.
The Gophers got their first power play of the weekend when Badgers forward Charlie Stramel tripped John Mittelstadt at 19:31. Minnesota outshot Wisconsin 15-9 in the first.
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With 1:31 of power-play carryover to start the second period, the Gophers couldn’t capitalize as McClellan didn’t face a shot on goal. McClellan came up big at 4:24 of the second, stopping shots by Jimmy Snuggerud and Luke Mittelstadt in succession.
Oliver Moore nearly tied it for the Gophers at 13:21 of the second on a 2-on-1 break with Snuggerud, but McClellan turned aside Moore’s shot in front of the net.
The Gophers appeared to tie the score 1-1 at 13:50 when Chesley fired a shot through traffic that beat McClellan. However, Badgers coach Mike Hastings challenged for goaltender interference because Moore made slight contact with McClellan at the top of the crease. After a lengthy video review, officials overturned the call on the ice and wiped out the goal.
Only 1:23 later, the Gophers scored a goal that couldn’t be disputed. Bryce Brodzinski’s backhand pass deflected off a skate and found Jaxon Nelson at the top of the crease, and Nelson lifted the puck over McClellan knot the score 1-1.
At 12:20 of the third, the Gophers were called for too many men on the ice, but Minnesota killed the penalty without allowing a shot on goal and giving up only one shot attempt.
The key sequence of the third period came with 2:40 left when Nevers fired a shot past McClellan for what appeared to be a 2-1 Minnesota lead. Instead, referees waved it off because Nelson had made contact with McClellan after being nudged off balance by Badgers defenseman Ben Dexheimer. McClellan lay on the ice for several seconds. He got back in position, and Nevers’ shot got by him. Motzko unsuccessfully challenged the play.
McClellan robbed Aaron Huglen with 3.9 second left in the third with a lunging save. Snuggerud rang the crossbar late in overtime.
The Star Tribune did not send the writer of this article to the game. This was written using a broadcast, interviews and other material.
Wisconsin
Tranfser Portal Predcition: Wisconsin trasnfer John Blackwell likely to land with contender
John Blackwell is one of the more sought-after players still available in the NCAA transfer portal. Big-time programs are coming after the former Wisconsin Badgers guard. And now, On3’s Joe Tipton is calling his shot on where Blackwell will end up.
Tipton has put in an RPM for Blackwell to commit and sign with the Duke Blue Devils. His level of confidence sits at 60%. If Duke head coach Jon Scheyer can get this one over the finish line, it could prove to be a massive addition.
“Wisconsin transfer John Blackwell is one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal,” Tipton said. “The 6-foot-4 shooting guard took an official visit to Duke on Monday and the Blue Devils are carrying the momentum in this recruitment. I’ve officially placed an RPM prediction in favor of Duke to ultimately land the star transfer.”
The On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings have Blackwell slotted as the No. 5 overall player to enter this cycle. Just looking at shooting guards, only one guy is ahead of him — Wake Forest‘s Juke Harris.
Blackwell spent three seasons in Madison before entering the transfer portal. He was in double figures over the last two years, averaging 19.1 points during the 2025-2026 campaign. Duke will enjoy his efficiency as well, shooting 43% from the field and 38.9% behind the three-point line.
There is more to what Blackwell can do than just shoot, though. He snagged just over five rebounds and dished out 2.3 assists per game.
To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.
Before the RPM pick from Tipton, the latest update on where things stood with Blackwell came on Saturday. Tipton laid out who else is still considered to be in the running, including a visit schedule for the Wisconsin transfer. You can check out the full piece of intel here.
Duke has turned into one of the more consistent programs in college basketball, playing at a high level under Scheyer. The last three seasons have resulted in at least an Elite Eight appearance, even making the Final Four in 2025. Still, the expectations in Durham are to win a national championship. Maybe Blackwell is the guy who can help them take the next step forward.
Wisconsin
Rubber bullet carnage as 1,000 animal welfare activists storm beagle breeding lab in Wisconsin | Fortune
About 1,000 animal welfare activists who tried to gain entry Saturday to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin were turned back by police who fired rubber bullets and pepper spray into the crowd and arrested the group’s leader.
It was the second attempt in as many months by protesters to take beagles from the Ridglan Farms facility in Blue Mounds, a small town about 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Madison.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett, said in a video statement that 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property” and assault officers. He said protesters have ignored designated areas for peaceful protest and blocked roads to prevent emergency vehicles from entering.
“This is not a peaceful protest,” Barrett said.
The sheriff’s department said a “significant” number of people were arrested out of about 1,000 protesters at the site but did not give an exact total as they were still being processed as of the afternoon.
Protesters tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence. Some protesters did get through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
“I just feel defeated,” activist Julie Vrzeski told the newspaper about three hours into the operation after no dogs had been successfully seized.
Activists later moved from the Ridglan facility to protest outside the jail in downtown Madison.
The group Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs had publicized plans to seize the dogs Sunday but launched its operation a day earlier. The X account of the group’s leader, Wayne Hsiung, posted a picture of him being arrested.
The sheriff’s department said a person who “recklessly” drove a pickup through the front gate of the property was arrested, “preventing a potentially deadly outcome.”
Protesters broke into the facility in March and took 30 dogs. Twenty-seven people were arrested on trespassing and other charges.
Ridglan has denied mistreating animals but agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 as part of a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.
On its website it says “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.”
Wisconsin
Wisconsin authorities put total arrests from clashes at beagle breeding facility at about 25
MADISON (AP) — Around 25 protesters were arrested as around 1,000 animal welfare activists tried to gain entry to a beagle breeding and research facility in Wisconsin and were met by officers firing pepper spray and rubber bullets, authorities said Sunday.
Saturday’s protest was the second attempt in as many months by demonstrators to take beagles from Ridglan Farms in Blue Mounds, about 25 miles (about 40 kilometers) southwest of the capital, Madison. They were turned back by officers who arrested the group’s leader.
Owen Ziliak/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office said the situation was “significantly calmer and more peaceful” on Sunday, when around 200 people assembled outside the farm. They dispersed after around two hours, it said.
“We’re pleased with the group’s cooperation today, and their willingness to remain peaceful, while still sending their message of concern for the dogs at Ridglan Farms,” Sheriff Kalvin Barrett said in a statement. “We are happy to support anyone who wants to exercise the right to protest, as long as they do so lawfully.”
Owen Ziliak/The Wisconsin State Journal via AP
The sheriff had said in a video statement Saturday that 300 to 400 protesters were “violently trying to break into the property.” They tried to overcome barricades that included a manure-filled trench, hay bales and a barbed-wire fence.
Owen Ziliak/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
Some got through the fence but were unable to enter the facility, where an estimated 2,000 beagles are kept, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.
Amber Arnold/Wisconsin State Journal via AP
Those arrested included the leader of the Coalition to Save the Ridglan Dogs, Wayne Hsiung, 44, of New York, who was being held on a tentative felony charge of conspiracy to commit burglary. But most arrestees were just booked and released, the sheriff’s office said Sunday.
“No one should be assaulted for giving aid to a dog, even if damage to property is part of that rescue effort,” Hsuing said in a statement from jail Sunday that also accused authorities of using excessive force. “The animals of this Earth are not “things.” They’re sentient beings. And we have the right to rescue them from abuse,” he concluded.
Protesters took 30 dogs when they broke into the facility in March, when authorities arrested 27 people.
Ridglan denies mistreating animals but agreed in October to give up its state breeding license as of July 1 in a deal to avoid prosecution on animal mistreatment charges.
On its website, the company says “no credible evidence of animal abuse, cruelty, mistreatment or neglect at Ridglan Farms has ever been presented or substantiated.”
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