So close, but yet so far away. Wisconsin appeared as if it had enough to upset second-ranked Boston University Friday night, but two goals from Ahti Oksanen in the final two minutes eliminated a 3-1 Badgers' lead and the teams played to a 3-3 tie.

"We talk about when you're up a goal, putting the fish in the boat," Wisconsin head coach Mike Eaves said. "I don't do a lot of fishing, but I know sometimes you don't get the hook in the mouth, and sometimes it wiggles off. This one wiggled off tonight."

Boston University took a 1-0 lead in the first period despite the Badgers controlling the possession advantage much of the opening period. Brandon Fortunato gave the Terriers the early lead on the power play, his first collegiate goal.

Wisconsin would bounce back in the second period with goals from Kevin Schulze and Jedd Soleway. Schulze's conversion came short-handed, while Soleway's conversion 16:15 into the second stanza was a highlight-reel snipe that knocked the water bottle off the back of the net.

The Badgers were able to extend the lead to 3-1 in the third period when BU goaltender Matt O'Connor fired a pass off his own player that bounced into the back of the net. UW freshman Matt Ustaski was credited with the goal.

Wisconsin appeared as if it was going to skate away with the upset, but Boston University fought back with the extra attacker in the final two minutes.

Oksanen cut UW's lead to 3-2 with 1:52 to play on an outstanding shot. Just a few minutes later it was Oksanen playing hero once again, as he was able to tip a shot from Matt Grzelcyk into the back of the net for his 10th goal of the season to tie the score at 3-3 with just :02.2 seconds remaining in the game.

The teams played even in the extra session, and skated off with a 3-3 tie. They played a shootout, which was won by Boston University, although the result was just for practice, and doesn't count in any standings or NCAA rankings.

Despite the result, this may have been Wisconsin's best effort of the season.

"We'll learn our lessons, but gosh, our guys did so many tremendous things for so long," Eaves said. "We're so proud of them."

Wisconsin and Boston University will be back at it for the finale on Saturday night at the Kohl Center. Puck drop is 7:00 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on the Wisconsin channel, and can also be streamed on BTN2Go.com.

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