GREEN BAY, WI (WSAU) The Wisconsin men's hockey team scored first, but wasn't able to hold the lead in a season-opening 2-1 loss to Northern Michigan.

After a scoreless first period, Michael Mersch knocked one in on a power play with 14:25 to go in the second frame. Just 18 seconds into the third period, Northern Michigan tied the score, then won it with a goal at 9:07. Joel Rumpel stopped 18 of 20 shots by the Wildcats.

The Badgers will try to get a split of the weekend series tonight at 7 p.m. in a game played at the Resch Center in Green Bay. You can hear the game on WSAU at 6:30.