Although it may be hard to click the heels of one's skates together, it is clear for Wisconsin, there's no place like home.
After spending five of their last seven weekends on the road, UW will begin an extended home stand this weekend. They will host Michigan Friday and Michigan State Saturday in the College Hockey Showcase.
It's real nice to finally be back here at the Kohl Center,"" freshman forward Derek Stepan said. ""It was kind of a long road trip for us, the first half of the season. So now it's going to be a nice little home stretch.""
The Wolverines were 36-6-4 last season but have already lost six games this year. They have had to deal with the challenge of replacing Hobey Baker winner Kevin Porter along with two of their other top three scorers.
There have also been struggles in the net for Michigan, as senior netminder Billy Sauer has seen his GAA jump from 1.95 last season to 2.72 this year. Sauer has also seen his role reduced since he is now splitting time with sophomore Bryan Hogan in net.
The Badgers, however, still see Michigan as a team that cannot be taken lightly.
""I know Michigan's got a lot of speed, they've got a lot of speed forwards and their game is transition."" Wisconsin captain Blake Geoffrion said.
Geoffrion has learned through his good friend Chris Summers, Michigan's captain, that the Wolverines are not playing bad hockey, but that scoring has been an issue in recent weeks. Michigan has scored one or fewer goals in four of their last six games.
""Both teams are extremely skilled, we don't have much time to prepare,"" senior goaltender Shane Connelly said. ""We just need to be ready to play hard both nights.""
Offensive struggles have also been an integral part of Michigan State's season. The Spartans have only lit the lamp five times in their last six games - all losses.
Two years ago, MSU won the national title on the strength of goaltender Jeff Lerg and a stingy defense. That style and the reliance on Lerg are still present, especially with the struggling offense.
""They depend on [Lerg] a lot,"" Geoffrion said. ""I'm pretty sure they play a 1-2-2 on their fore-check, so they're a little more, they sit back. That's how they were last year anyway.""
Geoffrion went on to emphasize the importance of out-working the defenses of both opponents.
Wisconsin has only lost once in its last seven games and is winless when allowing more than two goals. The team's penalty kill has been near the top of the WCHA, despite Wisconsin's status as the conference's most penalized team.
""We've taken a lot of time during practice, grabbed a core group of players and have stuck with them,"" assistant coach Mark Osiecki said. ""It's been something that's been a focus starting this summer, and I think it's paying off right now.""
The puck will be dropped at 7 p.m. both Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center.
