As the Wisconsin men's hockey team welcomes the Minnesota Golden Gophers to the Kohl Center this weekend for the first home series of the year, one cannot help but notice that the rivalry is not quite what it used to be.
The Badgers and Gophers still have one of the most heated rivalries in the history of college hockey, but things have changed a little over the years.
After being swept in Denver last weekend, Wisconsin is 0-4 for the first time since its modern era began in 1963. The Badgers have allowed at least five goals in every game thus far, ranking 51st in the nation in scoring defense. Minnesota is 2-0 on the year after sweeping St. Cloud State last weekend, but the Gophers are not contending for the top spot in the country just yet, coming in seventh in this week's USCHO.com poll.
With stats like that, the glory days of the Border Battle seem like a distant memory.
Beginning with Wisconsin's first national championship in 1973, the Badgers and Gophers combined to win seven of the next 11 titles. Names like Chelios, Micheletti, Johnson, Eaves, Broten, Verchota, Janaszak and Suter still echo in the ears of hockey fans around the world.
The blind hatred the schools had for each other in past decades has often been replaced by friendship on today's benches, thanks to larger recruiting bases and an increased number of players playing together on national teams.
It's just another game,"" freshman defenseman Jake Gardiner said. ""I'm from Minnesota, and I know a lot of the guys on the team, but we're trying to focus on the game.""
This year, even the game itself is different. After receiving input from the NHL, WCHA officials are calling contests tighter this season, cracking down on penalties and hoping to facilitate play that is both cleaner and more offensive-minded.
""Obviously, the fans love to see the goals. I love to see the goals too, as a player and as a fan of the game,"" junior forward Blake Geoffrion said.
While Wisconsin's forwards have the opportunity to thrive under the new rules, players on the defensive end may have to get used to seeing their stats falter a bit.
""My stats aren't going to be as top-quality as in years past, (but) the only thing that matters to me is if we win,"" senior goaltender Shane Connelly said. ""We need wins, and that's all I'm really concerned about.""
The rivalry between Wisconsin and Minnesota might not be the same as it was 30 years ago, but this weekend, all bets are off.
""Everyone gets a little more jacked up for this,"" Connelly said. ""The rivalry's gone down a little bit, [but] I like to always think that we don't like each other very much.""
For the coaching staff, keeping the players' emotions in check this weekend is key.
""Sometimes guys get over-excited or over-emotional and they don't perform as well as they can,"" head coach Mike Eaves said. ""That's probably our greatest concern as a coaching staff.""
Regardless of the records, rule changes and rivalries, fans can bet the Badgers will be ready to play when they step on the ice at the Kohl Center Friday night.
""Friday night's the biggest game of the season so far,"" Connelly said. ""We don't plan to go 0-5.""
