Since starting the season 13-3-2, the Wisconsin Badgers have lost eight of their last 14 games, at one point enduring a six-game losing streak that hurled the Badgers from No. 2 in the country to No. 13 and threatened to derail their season. But despite the adversity, junior defenseman and alternate captain Joe Palodichuk told The Daily Cardinal the culture within his locker room has remained steady.
“I know it sucks for our record and our standing, but I think every good team goes through little bumps, and that was our little bump in the road,” Palodichuk said regarding their losing streak.
He described Wisconsin as a “self-aware team,” saying everyone reflects over their performance and knows where they did well and where they faltered.
“I don’t think much needs to come from us unless we really think it does,” Palodichuk said.
Palodichuk said that level of accountability extended beyond just the core leadership. “If anyone outside the leadership group has something to say, it’s almost as important. Everyone matters,” he said.
Palodichuk attributes much of that bond to the time the team spent together training in the summer leading up to this season.
“In the summer throughout our eight week training program, and going through horrible workouts and the pain and the skates early in the morning, I think that just brought our group so tight,” Palodichuk said.
The trust and bonds built that summer found its way into the locker room as the team voted to select their leaders.
For Palodichuk, earning the “A” on his sweater has not changed who he is as a player. “Your peers vote for you. They trust you. That's why you have a letter on your chest,” he said. “We have four people on our team that wear letters, and every single person leads in their own way.”
Senior defenseman Ben Dexheimer is second on the team in assists and leads the Badgers in points by a defensemen. He also shoulders the majority of the blue line minutes and is the “quarterback,” as described by head coach Mike Hastings, of his power play unit.
“[Dexheimer] is really good at getting a pulse on the whole group and does a good job connecting with everyone,” Palodichuk said about Dexheimer’s role as captain. “He competes so hard every day, and I think that’s what sets the tone for us.”
Hastings echoed the same sentiment at a press conference on Feb. 17 after their series against Ohio State. “[Dexheimer] has earned a little bit of my blind trust, just because of the actions that he has had from the beginning of the summer to where we are right now,” he said.
While junior defensemen Zach Schulz hasn’t been in the line up since his injury back in December against Notre Dame, his presence has been crucial in bringing the team together.
“Zach is the same [as Dexheimer]. He is very good at binding us together and keeping us connected,” Palodichuk said.
As for sophomore Gavin Morrissey, Palodichuk said his leadership style is reflected in his play on the ice. “He’s a great player. I think it's easy for guys to kind of watch him and learn from him,” he said.
Morrissey leads Wisconsin in both points and assists, with 29 points in 29 games played. He’s accounted for six of the Badgers’ goals this season and has assisted on 23.
Even with the abundance of players on the team capable of leading, Paldodichuk sticks out with his direct encouragement of his teammates.
“I think I am probably more of a vocal leader. I push the guys on the ice and in the games, and a big thing for me is pushing them outside the rink and in the weight room,” Palodichuk said.
In his 29 games played, Palodichuk has tallied a total of 14 points. He set a career high in goals scored in a single game in December against Notre Dame with two.
Amid Wisconsin’s rough stretch, questions started to surround the team, as the Badgers were determined to return to their early season form. Hastings never lost faith, citing his team’s resilience.
“I like the direction that we are moving in even though the results have not been that way,” Hastings said after Wisconsin’s home series loss to Penn State in January, after which they extended their losing streak to four games.
“There is a lot of belief in the locker room. There is a lot of belief from our staff of what’s in that locker room and in each other,” Hastings said.
Wisconsin will close out the regular season with a road series against Penn State this weekend. After navigating a late season slump, the Badgers will look to build momentum before heading into postseason play.
“I think we are a really good team,” Palodichuk said. “When you can get 15,511 people in attendance, it shows that people want to come and watch us. I think that shows a lot about our group and what we are capable of.”
