HOUGHTON, Mich. ? It?s difficult to discern which was
bigger: Craig Johnson?s third period goal or his smile during the postgame
interviews over his improbable success.

The goal, the first of Johnson?s collegiate career in his
13th game, gave Wisconsin a 3-1 lead against Michigan Tech in the series finale
and helped secure two more crucial points in the WCHA standings.

?It was a big goal; it took a lot of pressure off of us,?
said UW head coach Mike Eaves, whose team remains tied for fourth in the
conference standings with 22 points.

The ?snipe,? as the bench referenced it, occurred 5:40 into
the final frame. Michigan Tech?s defense broke down for just an instant, but
that was plenty of time for the freshman defenseman. He took a pass from Sean
Dolan just behind the dot in the left faceoff circle and buried the puck
blockerside high.

?It felt good? to get that stress off of me,? Johnson said.

In almost slow motion, Johnson threw up his hands in
triumph. Simultaneously, the bench went wild and his best friend and older
brother Carl, who made the trip up to Michigan?s Upper Peninsula to watch
Johnson play, pounded on the glass in a congratulatory ruckus.

?Everyone just gave me some love, and it was awesome,?
Johnson said of his teammates? reception on the bench.

?Everyone was just so happy for him,? Dolan said.

By the looks of Johnson?s gaping grin following Wisconsin?s
4-1 win, he was right there with his teammates; his first goal will forever be
etched into his memory. And he has the hardware to go with it ? Johnson was
given the game puck for his performance, as well as the puck he scored.

After all, his notch Saturday is the embodiment of just how
far Johnson has come as a player.

Not until Dec. 28 did Johnson first appear in a game for the
Badgers. As the team?s seventh defenseman, he dressed only because sophomore
Jaime McBain left to play for the U.S. World Junior team. After four games,
McBain returned. So did Johnson ? to the bench.

A game later, however, Johnson?s fortunes turned. Freshman
Brendan Smith injured his back during the Denver series, propelling Johnson
back into the lineup. He has patrolled the ice with fellow freshman Cody
Goloubef ? who scored the second goal of his career Saturday night ? on Eaves?
third line ever since.

Having not played at the college level before, let alone at
a conference as tough as the WCHA, Johnson needed time to adjust. So his number
wasn?t called much in key game situations, namely the third period.

That changed during the Michigan Tech series. According to
Eaves, Johnson played with enough conviction on the ice to warrant an increase
in playing time despite having suited up for just a handful of series. That
fact impressed his teammates, who believe the Waupaca native might be the most
improved this season.

?He?s come so far already compared to when he first got here
in the way he handles the puck and his confidence,? Dolan said.

First, it was Johnson logging big minutes in overtime and
the third period of Friday night?s 1-1 tie. Then it was Johnson not only making
the back checks to prevent Huskies players from getting good looks at UW
goaltender Shane Connelly, but also getting into the offensive zone and
contributing with a score.

?I talked with coach [Mark Osiecki] after the game, and he
said that both Johnson and Goloubef played well the entire game, and when they
do that, you have confidence to put them out there in key situations,? Eaves
said.

Johnson?s doing it by playing to his strengths ? keeping it
simple ? and knowing what to expect and what can be expected of him from game
to game.

Now with a tally under his belt, Johnson is oozing with
confidence, and his smile couldn?t be wider.