*Last weekend:*
Wisconsin started off its season last Friday with a 4-0 win over Notre Dame. The Badgers saw four players score their first goals for Wisconsin. Senior forward Josh Engel gave Wisconsin a 1-0 advantage in the first period. Sophomore forward Aaron Bendickson, freshman forward Sean Dolan and freshman forward Kyle Turris all scored in the final period to give Wisconsin its first victory of the season.
The next day, Ohio State's offensive flurry was too much for Wisconsin as the Badgers lost 5-3 and dropped to 1-1 on the season. The Buckeyes scored twice in the first five minutes of the game. While sophomore defenseman Jamie McBain, junior forward Ben Street and Turris all scored for Wisconsin, the Badgers could not keep up with Ohio State, which scored three more times for the victory.
Robert Morris stunned then-ninth ranked Boston University last weekend in its season opener. Trailing 2-0 heading into the final period, the Colonials scored three goals in four minutes to beat the Terriers 3-2. Junior forward Jason Towsley's game-winner stunned a BU team that was expected to be near the top of the Hockey East conference throughout the season.
The Colonials completed its sweep in the Nye Frontier Classic Saturday with a 4-1 victory over Wayne State. Senior goaltender Christian Boucher completed his successful weekend, stopping all 19 shots he faced against the Warriors before being pulled in throwaway time.
*Preview:*
Although Wisconsin has an edge in talent, Robert Morris brings an experienced squad into the Kohl Center and could give the Badgers a tough battle, especially after the Colonials upset the Terriers.
Robert Morris graduated only two players from last season's team, which finished third in the College Hockey America conference and has 12 seniors this season.
The Colonials all-senior first line struggled against BU and Wayne State. Its second and third lines picked up the top line's slack however, including two-point efforts each from junior forward Chris Margot and freshman forward Scott Kobialko against the Terriers.
Wisconsin counters with a fountain of youth including starting freshman center and all-world talent Kyle Turris and three starting freshman defensemen.
Wisconsin's top lines could do some damage against its weaker counterparts, but Robert Morris may have the edge with its third and fourth lines.
Last season RMU coach Derek Schooley led his team to an upset win over then-second ranked Notre Dame in South Bend. Mike Eaves will need to make sure his team is not looking ahead to conference play.
The biggest thing to look out for this series is which Badger offense will come to play. While Wisconsin scored seven goals in its first two games this season, its offense struggled throughout last season, finishing at the bottom in the WCHA in scoring. Turris scored two goals last weekend, and Wisconsin will need consistent production from him to keep this young offense afloat.
