\Our goal is to play our best hockey in March.""
Head Coach Mike Eaves has been saying this since the start of the season. Now the time has come to see whether or not the Wisconsin men's hockey team will live up to this objective as they take to the ice against the No. 11 North Dakota Fighting Sioux.
""We have momentum; we're playing some of our best hockey,"" Eaves said. ""We just have to keep it going.""
When the Badgers played the Sioux in late November, they faced a 10-1 team ranked among the top three in the country. North Dakota (12-9-5 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, 22-9-5 overall) swept Wisconsin and went on to become the No. 1 team in the nation, peaking with a record of 17-1-1. The Badgers, meanwhile, were struggling to put together any sort of win.
Things have changed in the last month though, with Wisconsin (7-15-4, 13-19-4) garnering two sweeps and North Dakota not having won in their last seven games. The Sioux are now ranked fifth in the WCHA and are one point away from losing home-ice advantage for next week's playoffs.
""They should be scared to come to our barn now,"" senior forward Erik Jensen said. ""We're rolling pretty good and we'll be ready for 'em.""
Offense is the Sioux's forte this year. Forward Zach Parise, a freshman-of-the-year candidate, was a vital part of North Dakota's early rise to the top of the standings and warrants the attention of any defense. Parise is ranked in the nation's top 10 in points, goals and assists.
Though much focus will be on the Badger seniors, who are playing their last games at the Kohl Center, the freshmen class should not be overlooked. Forward Ryan MacMurchy has the second most points on the team and is also tied for the team lead in assists with rookie defender Tom Gilbert. While none of Wisconsin's freshmen are as individually skilled as Parise, the depth they provide is just as valuable.
""Our freshmen class brings us the depth,"" senior defender Brian Fahey said. ""We have a lot of guys in the lineup and they all bring a lot to the table.""
It is a tribute to North Dakota's offense that Parise may not be their best forward. In the eyes of many, sophomore Brandon Bochenski claims that title, as he has amassed 55 points and a nation-leading 32 goals this year. Offensive threats also come in the form of forwards junior David Lundbohm and sophomore James Massen, who round out the potent Sioux attack.
""I know they have scorers like Parise and Bochenski that can put the puck in the net,"" Fahey said. ""But our team defense all year has been pretty good.""
Wisconsin is coming off of their best week of the season, seizing eighth place in the conference and tallying 12 goals in the process. And this was without the help of senior center Brad Winchester. Jensen and junior wing Rene Bourque have established themselves as bona fide scoring threats in recent weeks and, with the return of their captain, should be even more productive.
In net, North Dakota features sophomore Jake Brandt. Brandt leads the WCHA with four shutouts, but has benefited greatly from the play of his teammates, whose offensive production often keeps the puck away from him. UW sophomore netminder Bernd Bruckler, on the other hand, has flourished in less-than-ideal situations.
Wisconsin will be challenged this week to not only defeat a conference rival, but to attain respect from the rest of the WCHA. Foremost, however, the Badgers will look to play their best hockey.
