Four successive weekends away from home is not appealing to any college hockey team. But, decidedly comfortable on the road, Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey is not sweating over the idea.
UW (13-5-2 WCHA, 18-6-2 overall), looking to continue its road success this season, opens a month's worth of games away from the Kohl Center against conference opponent Minnesota-Duluth (5-12-3, 8-16-4) this weekend.
The Badgers, 9-0-1 on road ice this season, are hoping to use these next seven road games to make some sort of run. The team has lost a season-high four straight, all in front of sell-out crowds at home.
Head coach Mike Eaves and the players have suggested several reasons for the home-away disparity. Eaves has said under less pressure and emotional weight on the road, the team may be better focused and not as worried about expectations.
'We play well on the road, like our record shows,' senior defenseman Tom Gilbert said. 'It's exciting to play in front of a crowd that's not going to cheer for you when you score.'
With both Denver and Minnesota idle this weekend, the Badgers have a chance to reclaim sole possession of first place in the WCHA standings. Two weeks ago, UW had an eight-point lead over both teams, but the Badgers' recent struggles have led to a three-way tie.
'We've said many times, the fact that when you go on this journey, it's a long journey, and you're going to hit storms,' Eaves said. 'We hit our storm. Right now, we've got to just maintain.'
UW has the opportunity to get back to those winning ways starting tonight. Duluth has lost six in a row, allowing nearly five goals per game in that stretch. The Bulldogs' offense has not fared much better this year'it ranks second to last in goals per game (2.19).
Freshman goalie Shane Connelly, looking to record his first collegiate win, will make his fifth straight start for the Badgers. He continues to fill in while junior Brian Elliott recovers from a left knee injury.
It is thought Elliott could be back as early as next weekend, when UW plays against Ohio State in the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic in Green Bay. He practiced Wednesday for the first time since Jan. 18, when he sustained the injury.
After next weekend, the Badgers have series at Michigan Tech and Minnesota State. For now, though, the focus is on turning things around against Duluth.
'For us, maybe this is a chance to catch a new wave here and get back on winning streak,' Gilbert said.
