With wins over Michigan State and Michigan in the College Hockey Showcase Saturday and Sunday, the Wisconsin men's hockey team improved to 7-7-2, reaching the .500 mark for the first time in the 2008-09 season.
Head coach Mike Eaves said at a press conference Monday he is happy with his team's progress, but this was no time for the Badgers to ease up as they prepare to host No. 15 Alaska-Anchorage over the coming weekend.
We still have a lot to play for,"" Eaves said about the team's improvement. ""So, for us to go, 'phew, we finally made it' is so far from even what any of us are thinking about because we have to continue to win.""
Wisconsin started the season in a slump, going 0-6-1 through the month of October, but posted a 7-1-1 record in November, including their first home sweep of the College Hockey Showcase.
""If you took a look at all the players, they've all elevated their level of play,"" he said.
Eaves singled out senior goaltender Shane Connelly as someone who stepped up his game in the past month.
""His level of consistency has grown, which gives us a good chance to win,"" he said.
Connelly and the Badger defense have combined for two shutouts in their past three games, and three so far this season.
However, Eaves pointed out that the team by no means considered the season's mission accomplished.
""We haven't talked about that even as a staff,"" he said about evening the team's record, though he thinks their consistency and success has been crucial in helping the team build confidence.
""Getting through that hard stuff and finally getting rewarded with some wins by the efforts we were putting in has [made] our kids start to believe in themselves and understand what they need to do on a day-to-day basis,"" he said.
Wisconsin will need that confidence as they host Alaska-Anchorage at the Kohl Center Friday and Saturday.
The weekend's contests will be the Badgers' 12th and 13th games against ranked opponents, and the ninth series Wisconsin has played in as many weeks. Eaves admitted fatigue would be a
concern for the team.
""We're trying to be prudent with the things that we do with the kids on and off the ice to make sure they stay focused and fresh for this finish-line run,"" he said.
The Badgers are riding a three-game winning streak heading into the series, but Eaves complemented the Seawolves on their strength as a unit, and said Wisconsin would need to play at their level of toughness to come away with wins in the series.
""They have always been a team that is well-coached and they play hard,"" he said. ""And now they've got some kids that are putting numbers up on the board.
""They're going to work hard and they're going to play well together, and we had better be ready to do the same.""
