Boston College is led by sophomore forward Brock Bradford with seven points and senior forward Joe Rooney with six points. The Badgers know that Boston College plays at a fast tempo, and the Eagles will try to use their offensive experience as an advantage this weekend.
Wisconsin has a higher-scoring defense and was finally able to shut down an opponent in the third period last weekend against Minnesota-Duluth. The Badgers will need to slow down the tempo against BC, and should be able to with their experienced defense.
Elliott was a force last week against Minnesota-Duluth, and his great play should continue this weekend. Elliott's save percentage of .949 ranks third in the WCHA, and is quite a bit higher than Boston College's Cory Schneider's .888. As long as the Badgers' defense can help keep the puck out of the zone, UW has the advantage.
UW head coach Mike Eaves is one of the top coaches in the country and usually runs away with this category every week. But BC head coach Jerry York is just as talented, and knows how to coach his players. If both teams play up to their potential on the ice, then the winner may come down to which coach ""outcoaches"" the other.
With this weekend's series being a rematch of last year's national championhsip, it is going to be hard to hear anything inside the Kohl Center. The crowd should be at the top of its game, and it will be hard for the Eagles to gain any momentum or quiet the crowd. Unless the Badgers come out Friday and fall flat on their face, the crowd will be fired up for a great series and will never settle down.
This matchup is by far the most important one of the young season so far, and both team's have a lot riding on this weeknd. UW is coming off a great performance against Minnesota-Duluth last weekend, and will look to continue against BC. The Eagles are looking to regroup after last weekend's loss to Notre Dame.
