According to Wisconsin men's hockey head coach Mike Eaves, this was a weekend that will serve as an important lesson for his players in the long run.
On one level, it was a split with Michigan Tech, who dwells at the bottom on the WCHA, that ended a 14-game unbeaten streak and an undefeated conference record. On another, the weekend served as a resounding reminder that no opponent can be taken lightly, no success taken for granted.
From the outset Friday night, the Badgers were beat at their own game. A team that prides itself on outworking the opponent, Wisconsin was listless to the extent that it allowed two short-handed goals and went 0-8 on the power play against the worst penalty-killing team in the WCHA.
Tech senior left wing Chris Conner, who has made a habit of turning in solid games against UW, scored the first short-hander just two minutes in, taking a pass from defenseman Jake Wilkens from the Husky zone, and assisted on another that put the Huskies on top for good at 2-1.
Senior defenseman Tom Gilbert and junior forward Ross Carlson each scored goals for the Badgers, who never had a lead and pulled junior goaltender Brian Elliott (23 saves) late in a last-ditch effort.
Asked what was most disappointing after Friday night's loss, coach Eaves responded: 'Effort, period. Just effort, period.'
Senior captain Adam Burish held himself and assistant captain Gilbert accountable for not imparting a sense of urgency on the players before the opener.
'Our effort was terrible tonight. I'm embarrassed, disappointed. You don't have to look any further than [Gilbert] and I here. We didn't have that group ready to play tonight.'
Saturday night, the Badgers were ready. In fact, 'ready' may be the understatement of the year.
Playing the physical, intense hockey that gave them the No. 1 ranking in the country, Wisconsin turned in possibly their best start-to-finish effort of the season in a 7-0 shutout.
A physical style of play carried over from Friday night, when a post-game scuffle broke out as the teams were leaving the ice. All told, there were five disqualifications issued and two 10-minute misconducts in the chippy finale.
The Badgers' flurry of goals began with a beautiful short-handed score when Burish and sophomore Joe Pavelski led a charge into the Husky zone. Burish left the puck to his trailing linemate, who placed a perfect pass right through the slot back to Burish for the captain's fifth goal of the season.
Junior left winger Robbie Earl added two goals, as did sophomore defenseman Kyle Klubertanz. Junior Jake Dowell and freshman Jack Skille added one each.
Eaves said afterward the team was eagerly awaiting their chance at redemption after Friday night's showing.
'They had scowls on their face,' he said, describing the pre-game scene. 'They looked like they had something on their mind.'
Earl described how the team made a swift turnaround after the loss Friday night. 'Last night was kind of an awakening. Last night we weren't ready. We weren't prepared. You've got to reach that level where you respect your opponent and you've got to come and play every night.'
The Badgers had 39 shots on goal, and Elliott stopped all 17 shots for his third shutout this season, which now officially breaks until Dec.. 30.
For now, the Badgers will consider this weekend a lesson learned and hope to retain the No. 1 ranking when polls are released Monday.
