The Badgers racked up three goals in the first period and never looked back to go on to defeat No. 17/14 Michigan State, 6-2, on Senior Night in their final appearance at the Kohl Center this season.

Junior forwarded Mathieu De St. Phalle led the roster with a pair of goals, including the game-winner, and an assist, followed by fifth-year Jack Gorniak, who posted a goal and an assist. 

The Badgers took a 1-0 lead at 4:20 in the first period thanks to a back-door goal from Liam Malmquist. Wisconsin maintained possession of the puck behind the Spartans' net as time wound down on its power play. Gorniak threaded a pass across the slot for Ben Dexheimer. Goaltender Dylan St. Cyr made the initial save but Dexheimer directed the puck to Malmquist on the edge of the crease where he swept the puck into the net. 

Carson Bantle added to the lead halfway through the first period when Mathieu De St. Phalle intercepted a breakout pass in the Spartans' zone. De St. Phalle dropped a pass back to Brock Caufield who set up Bantle for a wrist shot at the top of the circle, sending the puck bar-down past St. Cyr.

De St. Phalle gave the Badgers a three-goal lead just over two minutes into the second period. Charlie Stramel skated the puck through the neutral zone and passed to Lucius as he crossed the Spartans' blue line. Lucius skated down the wing and slid a pass for De St. Phalle to tap in on the doorstep.

Michigan State got on the board at 3:50 in the second period after Jagger Joshua forced a turnover on the Badgers' blue line and Daniel Russell set up Nash Neinhuis for a one-timer.

At 5:25 in the same period, Caufield and Sam Stange set up Gorniak for Wisconsin's fourth tally of the night. Stange skated the puck into the offensive zone and handed the puck off to Caufield on his wing. Caufield sent a pass across the zone straight to the tape of Gorniak's stick for him to direct past St. Cyr.

The Spartans cut into the deficit once more before the clock ran out on the second period when Cole Krygier hammered the puck past goaltender Jared Moe on the edge of the crease.. 

The Badgers headed into the third period with a 4-2 lead in tow and they didn't let up.

Corson Ceulemans put Wisconsin up 5-2 at 16:18 of the final frame. Stramel won an offensive zone face off back to Lucius who hit Ceulemans on the point for the shot.

De St. Phalle sealed the deal with an empty-net goal.

Jared Moe stood tall in net all night long with 25 saves.

Wisconsin's 6-2 win marks their final appearance at the Kohl Center this season. Seniors Brock Caufield, Shay Donovan, Jack Gorniak, Owen Lindmark, Dominick Mersch, Jared Moe, and Mike Vorlicky were honored for their impact on Badger hockey prior to puck drop.

Notes to know:

• Mathieu De St. Phalle netted two goals and an assist for a three-point night
• Freshmen Cruz Lucius and Charlie Stramel each tallied two assists
• Jack Gorniak notched a goal and an assist for his first multi-point game of the season

Next up: The Badgers close out regular season play when they visit Penn State on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24-25, in State College, Pa. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. CT on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday.