With the end of the season approaching and some tough opponents left on the schedule, a lull is not what the Wisconsin men's hockey team needs right now. The Badgers' slump may look worse than it really is, considering it has come right after a 15-game unbeaten streak. Nevertheless, Wisconsin has had a 3-5-2 record and three losses in a row since the streak and has been missing big chances to close out games.
\I don't think it's a moment for great panic. We just have to keep playing,"" Badgers Head Coach Mike Eaves said. ""Our emphasis doesn't change. We get better every weekend. We want to continue to get points every weekend and that's what we'll strive to do.""
One of the major reasons for Wisconsin's slump from the top of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings has been the penalty killing. Once nearly unbreakable, the penalty kill units have given up 10 goals in the last six games. This is especially disconcerting considering the team had only given up 16 power-play goals in the first 24 games of the season.
Another reason for the recent lack of wins has been the lack of goal scoring. Seven Badger forwards have gone 10 or more games without scoring a goal. This includes sophomore forward Ryan MacMurchy, Wisconsin's leading goal scorer, who has gone 11 games since his last goal.
""I think we're just having a little bit of trouble on the penalty kill and we're having some trouble scoring goals, especially in the third period,"" Badgers senior forward Rene Bourque said.??
Wisconsin's recent struggles will have to be put on the back burner, though, since the team will have to be focused on this weekend's series: a matchup with the No. 1-ranked North Dakota Fighting Sioux.?? The Sioux have only two losses in the WCHA and have lost only once in their last 17 games. Despite the tough task, the Badgers remain upbeat and plan to return home to an intense crowd hoping to take a couple points out of the weekend.
""The attitude in the locker room is good. We're not too down on ourselves,"" Bourque said.
""I hope [this weekend] that we can give the fans something to cheer about and get leads and get them into it,"" Eaves said. ""Because that place can really rock when it's full and we're doing good things on the ice.\
