After coming off of a pair of disappointing series against Denver, the Wisconsin Badgers (10-11-3 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, 12-16-4 overall) head to Minneapolis this weekend to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers (14-7-3 WCHA, 22-7-4 overall).
\It's really important to go up there and score some points this weekend,"" junior defenseman Brian Fahey said. ""If we play good team defense we can beat Minnesota. They are a really high powered offensive team and if we can concentrate on that, we can do really well.""
Wisconsin split the series earlier in the year with the Gophers. Jan. 11, UW beat Minnesota 8-3 in their best offensive showing of the year. The next night, Minnesota avenged the loss with a 6-2 win.
Head Coach Jeff Sauer ran the team through a week of up-tempo practices to prepare for the powerful Gophers squad.
""The attitude is good, the guys are ready to go and we're pretty healthy,"" Sauer said. ""The major change this week has been in the line rotations.""
Sauer has made line changes on all four lines to get more offense and better defensive play.
""Minnesota is good at forward and they have a very talented defenseman,"" Sauer said. ""The key for us is to get at their goaltending. It's been their Achilles' heel this season.""
""We have to bear down on defense and score some goals,"" sophomore defenseman Andy Wozniewski said. ""They have a really good team offensively. Their weakest point is their goalie right now. Hopefully, we can take advantage of that.""
Sauer said he also believes that the team needs to play consistently between shifts in order to stay in the game.
""If you make mistakes they are going to capitalize because they are good at their transition game,"" Sauer said.
""Minnesota is a really skilled team,"" senior wing Andy Wheeler said. ""We are just focusing on our effort being there, playing hard and being physical. [Minnesota] gets frustrated when you put a body on them.""
As for Wisconsin's goaltending situation, Sauer said junior goaltender Scott Kabotoff is available for this weekend's series after spending three weeks on the bench with a sprained left knee before returning to the net against Denver in Saturday's loss.
While Kabotoff is in some discomfort, he said he is ready to play this weekend.
""The knee's a little sore, but I can put up with it,"" he said.
The Badgers have been fighting for home ice for the past few weeks. Wisconsin is fending off Mankato State, North Dakota and Alaska-Anchorage for fifth place in the WCHA and home ice in the playoffs.
""We need to win,"" Wheeler said. ""We are really fighting for the fifth playoff spot. It's pretty pertinent that we come out of Minnesota with at least one win.""
The coach and players agree that having home ice in the playoffs is crucial because of the comfort home rink brings.
""It's a big advantage coming into the playoffs and not having to travel,"" Fahey said. ""Playing in front of our home fans on our home rink would give us a huge advantage in terms of preparation. We don't want to have to travel if we don't have to.""
""Home ice is everything in this league,"" Sauer said. ""It's a lot easier to play at home and sleep in your own bed than to go on the road and try to win.\
