When John Ramage began his freshman season with the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team, he was known mainly for his no-nonsense game, NHL pedigree and funky uniform number.

Now we know there's a bit more to the package.

The 18-year-old defenseman has a bomb for a shot, something he unveiled Friday night to help kick-start UW toward a 4-1 thumping of New Hampshire before an announced crowd of 11,490 at the Kohl Center.

That revelation, coupled with a two-goal effort from sophomore center Derek Stepan and a breakthrough performance by senior left winger John Mitchell, enabled the Badgers (2-2-1 overall) to open this non-conference series and a six-game homestand in impressive style.

Junior goaltender Brett Bennett was credited with 12 saves while getting the best of an old nemesis. During his two-year stay at Boston University before coming to Madison, Bennett lost both Hockey East Association encounters with New Hampshire.

UW piled up a 51-13 advantage in shots against the Wildcats, perennial title contenders in the Hockey East Association, while aggressively dictating the tempo in all three zones.

New Hampshire (2-3-1) didn't have a shot on goal for the first 7 minutes, generating only four from the prime scoring area the rest of the way. The Badgers, meanwhile, produced 23 quality shots in addition to hitting two pipes.

"We obviously had a difficult time skating with them," said Dick Umile, who has coached the Wildcats to two NCAA title games in his 20 seasons in Durham, N.H.

But it wasn't until Ramage provided some traction early in the second that UW got moving toward its eighth victory without a loss to the Wildcats here since 1978.

Senior center Aaron Bendickson won a draw in the right circle and Ramage, the youngest player on the team, leaned into a slapper from the point that beat New Hampshire goaltender Brian Foster at 5 minutes 43 seconds to break a scoreless tie.

"I try to work that every day," Ramage said of his shot.

UW coach Mike Eaves said he knew what Ramage would bring to the table - a stay-at-home mentality, a willingness to block shots, a gritty disposition and a good shot - but more has surfaced in the first five games.

"What's been pleasantly surprising to the coaching staff is his ability to see the ice and make passes," Eaves said of the 6-foot, 190-pounder. "He's done a nice job. I think that's one of the reasons that he's been able to play and have the success he's had."

Ramage's father, Rob, is a former all-star defenseman who played 15 seasons for eight NHL clubs after being chosen No. 1 overall in the 1974 entry draft.

Rob Ramage wore No. 5 in the pros, so his son asked for No. 55 when he came to UW. Though no previous Badgers player has worn a number higher than 35, Eaves said it was "never a big deal" when it came to satisfying the request.

"I've worn that number my whole life," John Ramage said. "I'd like to stay with that."

Mitchell shared the team lead with 15 goals last season, but came into the night without a shot on goal in his past three games. Eaves said Mitchell just needed to shoot more because the effort was there.

After registering two shots in the first, Mitchell made his presence felt at 12:47 of the second. He drove hard through the left circle while being hooked - a delayed penalty was being called - tracked down a loose puck in the left circle and beat Foster.

"I was getting pretty frustrated personally," Mitchell said of his three-game drought, "but throughout the week I just tried to stay mentally focused."

The Wildcats got one back when senior center Peter LeBlanc scored shorthanded - a poor pass by senior right winger Michael Davies led to a turnover at the blue line by junior defenseman Brendan Smith that evolved into a 2-on-0 - but UW kept its wits until Stepan scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the third.

One was gritty: A shot from the right circle by sophomore defenseman Jake Gardiner hit Stepan, stationed in front of the net, went airborne and arched over the scrum and into the net.

The other was pretty: Stepan carried the puck through the neutral zone, angled toward the right circle and zinged a wrist shot that picked the far corner behind Foster.

Umile wouldn't buy into the idea his team was intimidated - the Wildcats were making their first visit to Madison since 1989 - cutting right to the chase.

"I think we just got outskated tonight," he said, "especially in our own end."

Related

• UW men's hockey: 'They've got it all,' UNH coach says after sweep
• WCHA roundup: Shorthanded goal lifts Michigan Tech

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