October 3, 1998

MADISON, Wis.–Sophomore right wing Ryan Dolder and senior left wing Aniket Dhadphale made the timely goals while local product Forrest Karr came up with 30 saves as the University of Notre Dame hockey team emerged with a 2-1 victory over the University of Wisconsin in front of 13,398 fans at the dedication game for The Kohl Center, the Badgers new campus facility.

Wisconsin lost despite holding a 31-18 shot advantage, with Dhadphales goal midway through the second period holding up as the game-winner.

Karrs 30 saves equal his career best in a winning effort while extending his road record to 6-1-0 over the past two seasons. Karr and the Irish defense also stopped all four Wisconsin power-play chances – despite the absence of junior defenseman Nathan Borega, who missed the game due to a leg injury.

The game served as the annual Hall of Fame Game, commemorating the start of the college hockey season. The statistics and results will count towards each teams season totals.

Dolder had just one goal during the 1997-98 season before adding two in the playoff series in Michigan, including the 4-2 game-winner in the opener of that series. He opened the scoring Saturday night after forcing a first-period turnover in the Wisconsin zone and slanting in from the right before tucking a shot over the shoulder of Badgers sophomore goaltender Graham Melanson into the upper right corner of the net (7:07).

Wisconsin gained the equalizer at the exact same time in the second period as Dolder had scored in the first. Junior center Dan Bjornlie came down the middle and deposited a low shot into the right side of the net for just his second career goal in 69 games played.

Less than three minutes later, Simon skated loose onto a puck at the top of the circles and quickly wristed a shot on net. Melanson deflected the puck to his right, but Dhadphale was waiting at the edge of the crease and scooped a shot past the Badger goalie for the 44th goal of his career (9:33).

The game featured the return of junior right wing Joe Dusbabek and junior defenseman Tyson Fraser, who had missed the final 16 and 12 games, respectively, of the 1997-98 season.

Notre Dame (1-0-0)   1   1   0   -   2Wisconsin (0-1-0)    0   1   0   -   1
1st:  ND 1. Dolder (unassisted) 7:072nd: WIS 1. Bjornlie (Gusak, Wheeler) 7:07; ND 2. Dhadphale (Simon)3rd:No Scoring
Shots: ND 9-3-6/18; WIS 9-14-8/31Power Play: ND 0-for-2; WIS 0-for-4Penalties: ND 6 for 12:00; WIS 4 for 8:00