As the No. 19 Wisconsin men's hockey team goes on the road for their first round WCHA playoff series with Colorado College, they do so with a renewed sense of confidence. After snapping their-six game winless streak with a 3-1 victory last Saturday, the Badgers believe they are ready and capable of making a deep playoff run.
This weekend's best-of-three series in Colorado Springs will be a rematch of last weekend's series in Madison that the two teams split. That familiarity is something that the Badgers say will work to their benefit.
""We have their tendencies fresh in our mind,"" senior goaltender Scott Gudmandson said. ""We know what they're going to go on the power play and what certain players do on the ice and that's going to be important and will help us win this series.""
""It helps us because we know who we're playing,"" senior forward Podge Turnbull said. ""We know what they're going to bring so its going to be an all out war out there. It's playoff hockey. We have to play a smart and fearless game.""
This will be the sixth time in school history that Wisconsin will open the WCHA playoffs against the same team it played on the regular season's final weekend, with the Badgers winning four of the previous five times it occurred.
With the win against the Tigers Saturday, the Wisconsin halted its winless stretch that dated back to late January. The Badgers felt they played well enough to win both nights, against Colorado College but by snapping their streak Wisconsin now enters the playoffs with some much needed momentum; it's what that win did for the team's confidence that will have the greatest effect.
""It was great for the psyche,"" head coach Mike Eaves said. ""Talking about confidence, that win was a great thing to have. They get that feeling back, they get a bit of swagger, so for us to get that win on Saturday was big on many fronts.""
""It's a weight lifted of our shoulders and a big monkey of our back,"" Turnbull said. ""As far as Colorado knows we're coming in there with a win and we're going to be high on confidence and it's going to be a tough test for them to answer the bell. We don't plan on losing.""
According to Gudmandson, the team's 0-6-1 stretch through the month of February was something that needed to happen for this team and will only benefit them as they move into the playoffs.
""Obviously February didn't go as well as we wanted, but it was a competitive month and I think it was one of the best things for us,"" he said. ""You have to go through some adversity if you want to be successful; adversity can help build your character and I think we needed that.""
A deep playoff run through the WCHA Final Five is vital if the Badgers hope to make a return appearance to the NCAA tournament, and according to the players, this is a team that is capable of making that type of run.
""I don't think there is any doubt in anyone's mind,"" Turnbull said. ""I think the ship finally turned around for us and we mean business. We can't come out of there with anything less than two wins.""
""Anything can happen right now. All you have to do is have a positive attitude and get hot at the right time,"" sophomore forward Craig Smith said. ""A lot crazier things have happened and it's up to us and getting in there and playing like there is no tomorrow.""
