The Butler Bulldogs had a up-and-down month of January as the playoffs are just around the corner.
Butler began the new year with their 2nd annual Kappa Foundation game against Indiana University. Although the game did not turn out how the Bulldogs wanted against the nationally ranked opponent, Butler and Kappa were able to split the profits gaining over $600 for each organization.
The Bulldogs then took on in-state rival Ball State for a home and home weekend. In game one, Butler jumped out to a quick lead with goals from Dunleavy and Becker. Ball State answered back quickly with a goal of their own to close out the first period with a score of 2-1. It was all Butler for the rest of the game however as Barrett and Murphy would both score twice in the second and third periods and Dunleavy added another goal late to bring the score to a 7-1 final. In game two Ball State took the early lead but that was quickly answered by a goal from Murphy, his third of the weekend. Ball State again took a 2-1 lead in the second period but Butler crawled back from a goal by Dylan Paulsell, his first of his collegiate career. Ball State scored early in the third period and was able to hold on with the help of the empty net to win the game 4-2.
The Bulldogs then traveled to Dayton, Ohio to take on the Wright State Raiders. The Raiders took a quick 2-0 led before Jesse Longtin added a goal before the end of the period. The second period was all Bulldogs with goals from Moraw, Barrett, Longtin, and Wallrich. The third period continued the riot with goals from Becker (2), Paulsell, and Haugh to bring the final score to 9-2. The Bulldogs started where they left off with two quick first period goals from Haugh and Murphy. The Raiders came roaring back in the second period with 4 goals to take a 4-2 lead. The Raiders came out strong in the third and added another goal to put the Bulldogs down by 3 goals. The last 10 minutes of the game the Bulldogs completely took over. Unanswered goals from Moraw, Longtin, and Dunleavy tied the game up within 5 minutes left in the period. Longtin had a late deflection goal in front to put Butler in front and Murphy added an empty net goal to give Butler the 7-5 win.
Butler now plays at Indiana at 10:30 AM this Sunday February 10 to close out the year.
