The fall semester at UW-Madison is one of great anticipation. Classes resume for many students after a long summer of hard work for little pay, and the idea of Wisconsin sports and all the before-and-after activities they bring put a smile on almost any student's face.
These same students should have broad smiles on their faces this week, as Halloween looms around the corner. But this year's scary festivities bring an added bonus for the Badger faithful, as Boston College comes to town to play the Wisconsin men's hockey team in a rematch series of last year's National Championship game.
While this weekend is setting up to be one of utter chaos and mayhem, Wisconsin is not letting all the hype allow them to lose their focus on this weekend's series.
""I don't think I look at it any different. I look at every weekend just as that we have two games and want to get four points,"" junior forward Matthew Ford said. ""I think it is a little more hyped up being Halloween weekend and having Boston College in town, it's the rematch from last year's championship game. But we just have to play our game and I think we will be all right.""
Playing their game is exactly what the Badgers did in last year's championship game. In their 2-1 victory over Boston College last April, the Badgers played their game and dictated play throughout the evening. The Badgers out shot the Eagles 39-23, and it was obvious from the beginning that Wisconsin was on a mission.
While the entire game was full of highlights for any Badger fan, the most exciting play came with under two seconds left in regulation.
With 1.6 seconds left and Eagles goalie Cory Schneider on the bench for an extra attacker, Boston College came within inches of sending the game into overtime. The sell-out crowd was counting down the final seconds when a shot from the point by Peter Harrold was tipped by then junior forward Brian Boyle en route to the net. The puck deflected downward, hitting the right post and sailed away as the Badgers erupted in a hail of flying sticks, gloves and helmets.
Unfortunately for Wisconsin, this season has also started out with that same passion for the dramatic. The Badgers have two ties, and their only loss has come in overtime. UW knows that they will have to be at the top of their game in order to take down Boston College.
""They have a good offense and are overall a good team. They're well coached; they have some star players, some good goaltending, a good defense and a good offense,"" Ford said. ""It's just going to be a good weekend and we are looking forward to it.""
Boston College comes to town with a team that is almost the exact opposite of the Badgers. While Wisconsin has lost many players to the NHL and graduation, the Eagles have been able to hold onto two first-round draft picks, senior Boyle and junior goaltender Cory Schneider.
Wisconsin knows Boston College is talented, but the Badgers feel just as confident about the upcoming series.
""They are going to bring in top-notch recruits. I think they only lost two forwards and one defenseman, so they will have pretty much the same team,"" captain and senior forward Andrew Joudrey said. ""It's early in the year for them as well, and we know what they bring. They bring a lot to the table so we need to make sure that we do our homework on them and come ready to play.""
With the recent history between UW and Boston College, the Badgers will have to pay special attention to the Eagles and not become distracted from everything around them. Joudrey put the responsibility of keeping the team in check squarely on the shoulders of the upperclassmen.
""I think it just depends on the older guys,"" Joudrey said. ""If we stay calm, if we stay focused and don't get too out of whack, then it will help the young guys realize that this is a big series, but it's another series that we need to win.""
