ASHWAUBENON — There may be something magical about the Resch Center that brings out the best in the Wisconsin Badgers.

Whether it's Joe Pavelski's hat-trick against Bemidji State, Jack Skille's triple-overtime goal that propelled Wisconsin to the Frozen Four or the fact that Brian Elliott has never allowed a goal in the building, the stars are usually aligned for Wisconsin when they make the trek north to Ashwaubenon.

But when Elliott was given the night off in game two of Wisconsin's season opening series, the Badgers desperately needed some of that magic, because from the get-go, the Wisconsin offense took the night off as well.

Luckily for Wisconsin, their offense woke up just in the nick of time, with a little help from Jake Dowell's noggin.

Down by two goals late in third period, Wisconsin came charging back Saturday night scoring a power play goal that bounced off Dowell's helmet and a short-handed goal by Davis Drewiske in the final three minutes. The Badgers stole the victory from Northern Michigan and earned a 3-3 tie, one night after Wisconsin shutout NMU 3-0.

With the Badgers down 1-3 and on the power play with just under four minutes to go, a shot by freshman Jamie McBain bounced off Dowell's facemask and into the back of the net to close the UW deficit to one.

"I'll take them any way I can get them to help this team win games," Dowell said.

With the Wildcats on the power play and less than two minutes to go, Wisconsin received a gift via a Wildcat turnover in their own zone. The turnover went to senior Ross Carlson, who found a wide-open Drewiske streaking towards the net. Drewiske buried the puck past Northern Michigan goalie Bill Zaniboni to bring the game to an improbable tie.

"We made a bad mistake on the power play where we turned it over and they get a short-handed goal on it," NMU head coach Walt Kyle said. "Nothing changed from last night. They are still one of the best teams in country, and we played them [tough]."

Even before the puck dropped, UW head coach Mike Eaves wanted to give Shane Connolly some time in net for the Badgers in order to prepare him for next season.

"Shane's in his second year now and when Brian was in his second year, Bernd Brückler was an All-American goaltender," Eaves said. "We needed to get Brian (Elliott) some action because we knew that next year, he would be the guy. That's where we are with young Shane. We're going to have to look at our schedule and see where we can get him in the games and get some experience."

Much like Friday night's game, Wisconsin finally shook the off-season rust off after the first period and got on the scoreboard.

Already down 2-0, Wisconsin freshmen Michael Davies, who registered two goals the night before, and McBain combined to put a shot on goal that went off Zaniboni and right at Dowell. Dowell whiffed with his stick but hit the puck with his forearm into the Wildcats' goal for his first of two goals on the night.

Even when the Badgers were down 1-3 with just less than five minutes left, Wisconsin wouldn't quit. According to UW head coach Mike Eaves, all it took was getting back to the basics that won this team a championship a year ago.

"They simplified it, got back to the basics, started winning some more puck battles, got the pucks to the net and as a result, gave ourselves a chance to get back in the game," Eaves said.

Friday night, senior goalie and Hobey Baker finalist Elliott looked on top of his game and Davies scored two goals as Wisconsin won their fourth consecutive season opener, beating Northern Michigan 3-0.

Just two minutes into the second period, junior Matt Ford took a shot from the left face-off circle that deflected off Zaniboni. The loose puck found its way to UW freshman Davies, who rifled the puck past Zaniboni for his first collegiate goal. Davies would add his second goal of the season and Drewiske added his first to cap the Wisconsin scoring.

"I've never started any of my seasons at the next level by scoring two goals," Davies said. "I thought it would take me a couple games to get a point or two, but this is great to contribute."

Davies' first goals were more than enough support for Elliott, who looked as comfortable between the pipes as he did at the end of last season. Elliott found himself in very few tough situations Friday night and made 23 saves for his 12th career shutout.

"He looked comfortable, he looked patient, he looked in control and he's playing well when he does all those things," Eaves said.