Senior goalie Shane Connelly has witnessed many things in his three seasons as a Badger. He backed up the sensational Brian Elliot for two seasons, including the 2005-2006 national championship season when Elliot had a goals-against average of 1.55. It was certainly a unique opportunity for a freshman to be able to watch one of the premier goalies in the nation. He has seen many talented players come and go and has acquired crucial experience as well as the leadership skills that are essential for a successful season.
Last season, Connelly took over as the starting goalie for a young Badger team that welcomed a staggering nine freshmen. The team had some growing pains but caught fire going into the tournament and almost made it to the Frozen Four. Connelly finished the year with a 2.44 goals-against average and a .913 save percentage, which was good enough to rank him around the middle of the pack in the WCHA.
This season is strangely similar for Connelly as Wisconsin is joined by seven new freshmen, including three NHL picks. Since he went through this situation last year, Shane realizes that there are going to be ups and downs as the season gets under way. The Badgers' 0-4 start is hopefully as low as they are going to get, and Connelly remains confident as the team continues to adjust. He also knows that as one of the few seniors on the team he needs to take on more of a leadership role and help the young Badgers.
It's been a learning experience for all of us. It's a little bit more on me to have to speak up more to them,"" Connelly said. ""I've seen a lot through my three years here and obviously I don't know too many details of the defense, but I can lead them in the right direction, and they have to get used to me and my tendencies of playing the puck.""
Team chemistry has always been an important factor in any successful team, and hockey is no different. Wisconsin has lacked continuity in the first four games, as the veterans and new players are still getting used to each other. The Badgers need to learn how each of their teammates play and be able to depend on each other on the ice.
""The main thing is developing trust,"" Connelly said. Each game we gotta get better. I understand there [are] going to be mistakes that are made and my job is to make sure the other team doesn't capitalize on it and they understand that I'm going to give out rebounds sometimes and just play the puck.""
""I just think the more trust we get with each other and recognize that we've got each other's backs, I think it's going to get better every weekend.""
Wisconsin started off the season at full speed, maybe a little too fast. They have already played three of the top 10 teams in the nation on the road: Boston College, New Hampshire and Denver. When asked about the tough schedule to begin the season, Connelly thinks it will be an advantage for the Badgers instead of hurting them.
""We've kind of went out right into the fire and I
think it's going to benefit us for our mindset against other teams,"" he said. ""We've been in tough games, we've been in three tough places to play and there should be no surprises anymore. There's not many places to play that get harder than Boston College opening night when they have their banner raising, or Denver at altitude, or against a really good team in New Hampshire in a big rink.""
""So I definitely think it's a positive, even though we didn't get through with a win, we still hung around with three of the best teams in the country and it's going to help us in the long run.""
Connelly has started two of those games, the Friday night game against Boston College and the first game in the series at Denver. Although his stats haven't been the greatest, he has however accumulated an impressive 78 saves and has kept the Badgers in each game. In fact, the Badgers have had a lead in three of their four games, including a 4-1 lead against Denver.
Wisconsin has come very close to upsetting some of the top teams in the nation, and they will get another chance against No. 6 Minnesota. Playing at the Kohl Center has always given the Badgers a boost, and this weekend the team is looking to break their losing steak, bringing back winning ways.
""I think once we get the confidence up and everything like that [we're] going to be a fun team to watch,"" Connelly said. ""[We're] young and energetic and it's just hard to factor when we're going to mesh together and put it all on the ice at the same time.""
