The Badger men's hockey team (19-7-2 overall, 14-6-2 WCHA) is officially in survival mode until the team regains full strength.
Despite out-shooting the Bulldogs 32-21 Saturday, the difference in the game came on the power play. UW was just one-for-six with the man advantage while UMD was three-for-six. Head coach Mike Eaves addressed the penalty kill Monday at his weekly press conference.
'We did it against Minnesota, and then Saturday night we didn't do a very good job of it, and it was a combination of things,' Eaves said. On the one goal, Shane (Connelly) let up a rebound; you could say the forwards and defensemen didn't do their job, but the bottom line is they didn't do the things they needed to do.'
Despite the urgency to return to their stellar play displayed at the start of the season, it was made clear that junior goaltender Brian Elliott, who has been out with a knee injury, will not be thrust into the lineup this Saturday in Green Bay.
'No, not at all,' said Eaves of an early return. 'The only way he would play this weekend is if he would have practiced last week and was practicing this weekend.
'He is doing well, but not well enough to say that [we] practice him a couple times this week and throw him on ice we aren't sure of would not be prudent,' Eaves said
Anticipated weekend
Eaves recalled his past experiences playing outside in anticipation for the Badgers' outdoor contest against Ohio State Saturday at Lambeau Field in Green Bay.
'We used to able to play outside until it was minus 15 out and then they wouldn't let us play,' Eaves said. 'Playing outside has a uniqueness that is hard to relay to people that have never played outside. The sound of the skate when it hits the ice, the sound of the stick when it hits the puck ... it is a very unique game of its own.'
