Despite a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to Denver Friday night–in which the Badgers allowed the game-tying goal with 14.4 seconds to play in regulation–Wisconsin moved up a spot in the PairWise rankings to 14th and would be in the NCAA tournament if it were to start today.

How did this happen? Well, a few other losses around the country certainly helped the Badgers, who couldn’t help themselves with a win. Minnesota, who was a spot ahead of Wisconsin before yesterday, lost 4-3 to Colorado College. Also, Michigan beat Ohio State 4-1, keeping the Buckeyes behind the Badgers by two spots.

So as ugly as Friday’s win may have been for fans, UW is strangely enough in tournament position. It makes you wonder how high they’d be in the PairWise today if they had won last night and at least taken one of two games against Northern Michigan. That makes tonight’s game against the Pioneers that much bigger–as if it wasn’t important enough already.