Wisconsin men's hockey head coach Mike Eaves addressed the media Monday in his weekly press conference with the main focus on UW's upcoming series against No. 4 St. Cloud State, primarily the Huskies' defense.
""It starts right there. I mean, they both are top, top-end goaltenders. And any time you have good numbers defensively, that's where it starts,"" Eaves said. ""They've had some young people come in that they recruited that have been very productive for them, and that's been one of the keys to their success.""
Wisconsin is no slouch when it comes to defense either. The Badgers are ranked first in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association with an average of 2.10 goals allowed.
One of the main reasons for UW's resurgence last weekend was senior forward Jake Dowell. While the senior claims that if he could be any animal it would be a ""jackass,"" the Eau Claire, Wis., native has proven to be invaluable this season.
""Where do you start with Jake?"" Eaves said. ""His maturity has probably been, has helped him to be more consistent in his life. Not to have the ups and downs and the peaks and the valleys has helped him to be every day come in and just try to learn to control the things that he can control.""
""And because of that fact, I think he's been a lot more effective as a player,"" Eaves added. ""Isn't that interesting? We talk about the maturity of a young man, helping his maturity as a hockey player, how they go hand in hand.""
Dowell, along with the other six seniors, will play their last home series this upcoming weekend. Eaves was quick to point out there is an added incentive for the Badgers, as a win or sweep could catapult Wisconsin into the fourth or fifth spot in the WCHA standings.
""There's no question. I mean, I looked at the boys here today. I'm looking at Jeff Likens and Jake Dowell, and they look like they've been out in the woods for a week and a half,"" Eaves said. ""I said what's with the fuzz on the face. Coach, it's playoff time. Our playoffs are starting right now, you know. But I think their mentality is they really want to get that so they can come back and play some more.""
Hopefully breaking the ""Grizzly Adams Rule"" won't affect the Badgers concentration, as the team looks to build more momentum after last weekend's sweep of Alaska-Anchorage.
However, Eaves knows that St. Cloud State will not go easily into the night.
""I remember the series that we had with them last year about this time,"" Eaves said. ""Both games were very close. So it should be some excellent college hockey.""
Both Friday and Saturday's games begin at 7 p.m. at the Kohl Center
