After a rough first month of the season, the Wisconsin men's hockey team and head coach Mike Eaves are right where they want to be.
Even though the team only has one win through its first eight games, this weekend's series against the Michigan Tech Huskies offers the Badgers a chance to slow down after a month of battling with some of the top teams in the country. The Huskies' defense-oriented style of play will serve as a welcome change of pace.
I think it's right where we want to be,"" Eaves said. ""We need to play 'grind it out' hockey here to continue to build on that foundation, so they're a perfect team for us.""
After losing three of its first four games in the WCHA, Michigan Tech is experiencing some growing pains of its own. The MTU roster features nine freshmen, two more than Wisconsin. The Huskies were swept by Colorado College to open WCHA play but, like the Badgers, earned a much needed split last weekend with Alaska-Anchorage.
Even after playing high-powered offenses like Minnesota and North Dakota the last two weeks, the Badgers are not worried about the change of pace that this series will bring.
""I don't think we really try to match our game plan against another team's,"" senior forward Tom Gorowsky said. ""We try to build on things that we're good at and make them strengths. If other teams want to adapt their game plan to play us, that's fine, but we're going to play our game.""
Gorowsky is coming off of one of the biggest games of his collegiate career. The senior, who has seen limited ice time throughout much of his career in Madison, scored two goals, including the game-winner, Saturday against North Dakota.
""It felt really good to contribute,"" Gorowsky said. ""[I've been used to] contributing as more of a goal scorer, so it felt great to get back to doing that. Just helping the team get a win felt great.""
After the team's first win of the year, confidence is higher all around.
""It was a weight off my shoulders, personally and for the team,"" senior goaltender Shane Connelly said. ""Now we can focus on other things knowing that we can win in this league.""
Still, the Badgers know they cannot get too far ahead of themselves against a team like Michigan Tech.
""We just [need to] worry about ourselves right now, being where we are in the season,"" senior forward Blake Geoffrion said. ""We're not really worried about them, we're worried about us and making sure that we're playing hard.""
Despite the slow start, Eaves is pleased with how hard his team has worked this season.
""That might be the silver lining in all this,"" Eaves said. ""We talk about 'through toughness comes character.' These are tough times for us, and hopefully we're developing some of that that will carry us through.""
Faceoff between the Badgers and Huskies is set for 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center.
