In Wisconsin’s opening game of its first series against Minnesota, the Badgers dominated the Gophers for almost the entire game, outscoring them 4-1 over 49 minutes and 34 seconds of the 60 minute contest.
Hockey is vastly different than any other sport. It’s remarkably fast, uniquely physical and fiercely emotional.
Wisconsin and Michigan are both in full desperation mode. No. 18 Wisconsin (7-8-2-1 Big Ten, 13-12-3-0 Overall) will likely need to go around 4-2 over its last six games and have a pretty successful Big Ten Tournament run in order to make the postseason.
It wasn’t a win, but you couldn’t have told that from the reaction of Wisconsin’s bench as they streamed onto the ice. The emotional outpouring, from Jack Berry’s exuberant sliding fist pump to Peter Tischke’s elated hugs, wasn’t about the extra point in the conference standings that the Badgers had just earned as much as the expression of a team that has finally found its confidence after months of underperforming expectations.
No. 18 Wisconsin (7-8-2 Big Ten, 13-12-3 overall) vs. No. 14 Penn State (6-8-3-2, 13-11-3). Wisconsin beat Penn State last night, 4-2.
For the majority of Wisconsin’s games this season, the story has been this: UW played well, but it still couldn’t win. With only a few series to go and No. 18 UW (7-8-2 Big Ten, 13-12-3 overall) sitting outside the top-16, close losses and moral victories are no longer enough for the Badgers. And while No. 14 Penn State (6-8-3-2, 13-11-3) led Wisconsin for the majority of the night, and the story of UW’s season looked like it was destined to repeat itself, the Badgers found a way to rewrite the script and come from behind in a thrilling 4-2 victory.
Just minutes after Wisconsin’s dominating — and emotional — 5-0 win over No. 1 Notre Dame at the United Center, the team’s attention had already turned from celebrating the biggest win of the season to looking for more success. “There’s so much belief in that locker room."
Chicago, Il — Wisconsin scored early, and they scored often. They scored at even strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill.
After splitting a home series against Michigan State last weekend, Wisconsin has found itself in a position where it needs positive results.
“I don’t think the work ethic was where it needed to be. They obviously wanted it more. It was on us."
No. 18 Wisconsin (4-7-2 Big Ten, 10-11-3 overall) vs. Michigan State (3-9-1-1, 9-13-1) Saturday, 7 p.m. Kohl Center.
The transition from high school or juniors to college hockey can be incredibly difficult, even for the most gifted players.
A struggling Wisconsin team coming off a stretch of underwhelming performances who’s status in the Big Ten and on the NCAA Tournament bubble uncertain welcomes a last-place Michigan State team to the Kohl Center and looks to re-energize itself in the first home series of the new year. Deja vu, anyone?
For many, the new year is a time for change, a time for reinvention, a time to improve yourself and to achieve your goals.
Outside No. 2 Notre Dame, which is still undefeated in Big Ten play through ten games, the rest of the conference has been unpredictable, with each team having major fluctuations in their play.
Another 40 minutes of strong play against one of the nation’s top teams, and once again nothing to show for it. A night after breaking a 38-game unbeaten streak when leading after two periods and costing themselves a chance at a marquee win, the No. 12 Wisconsin men’s hockey team (4-5-1 Big Ten, 10-9-2 overall) was once again done in by a late-game offensive surge by No. 4 Notre Dame (10-0-0, 16-3-1) as they fell 6-2 Saturday night at the Kohl Center. The two teams traded goals for much of the first two periods, with the Irish taking a pair of one-goal leads on a power play tally from sophomore forward Cal Burke and a shorthanded strike from junior defenseman Dennis Gilbert.
With No. 4 Notre Dame traveling to the Kohl Center, Wisconsin was looking for what would be its best win so far this season.
No. 12 Wisconsin (4-3-1 Big Ten, 10-7-2 overall) against No. 4 Notre Dame (8-0-0, 14-3-1). Wisconsin is 5-4-2 at home, and Notre Dame is 6-0-0 on the road. Last weekend, Wisconsin split a series with Minnesota and Notre Dame swept Michigan State.
Coming off the worst seasons in program history — just 12 wins over two years and back-to-back missed NCAA tournaments — the expectations weren’t very high for Wisconsin’s men’s hockey team in 2016-’17.
With recent surprise losses to 1-12-1 St. Lawrence, a Michigan State team that is 1-4-1 in the Big Ten and 5-5-2 Mercyhurst, the Badgers have dropped from No. 5 in the nation to No. 14, and easily could be feeling the pressure of an upcoming weekend trip to No. 7 Minnesota (3-4-1 Big Ten, 9-6-1 overall). But, despite its recent losses — dropping from a championship contender to a fringe tournament team and traveling to a challenging atmosphere to play a difficult opponent — Wisconsin (3-2-1-0, 9-6-2-0) is not letting the pressure get to them.
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