Needless to say, the month of November was not kind to the No. 15 Wisconsin men's hockey team (3-5-2 WCHA, 7-6-3 overall), the Badgers were only able to muster three points from a six game home stand.
But with the calendar turning to December, Wisconsin has an opportunity to start fresh. After a pair of encouraging games against CCHA foes last weekend, the Badgers return to conference play on the road against Alaska-Anchorage (3-6-1, 4-8-2), in hopes of putting last month's woes behind them.
As much as the Badgers want to put last month firmly in the rearview mirror, the games also served as a good measuring stick and learning experience. You would expect to go through some low points with a young team, but head coach Mike Eaves and the players are optimistic about where the team is heading.
""It is a process with a young team,"" Eaves said. ""Our hand is firmly in the back of our players moving them forward and we're getting there, we're starting to see the things in practice that we need to see with more regularity, and that will translate into game experience.""
""Once you get the ball rolling it tends to keep going in the same direction. So hopefully we can keep pushing it this weekend,"" freshman forward Tyler Barnes added.
This weekend the Badgers make the long road trip up to Anchorage for a clash with the conference rival Seawolves. This will be a big series for positioning in the WCHA standings, as UAA sits only a point back of Wisconsin.
""They are a physical team, and they are going to apply a lot of pressure,"" Eaves said. ""Their teams play hard and play well together and by doing that they give themselves a chance to be successful.""
""We have two [road] games here before break, so we want to put some hay in the barn.""
Historically, Wisconsin has done well against Anchorage, including last year when the Badgers won all four games against the Seawolves by a combined score of 22-6.
""We have success against them because we usually can outwork them and play harder than them,"" senior captain Sean Dolan said. ""But we have to come ready to play from the drop of the puck, and bring it all three periods.""
However, all four of those games last year came in the comforts of the Kohl Center. For this series, the Badgers have to make the six hour flight from Minneapolis to Anchorage, and acclimate themselves to the harsh conditions which include a three -hour time difference, low temperatures and only about six hours of sunlight per day.
""It's a different atmosphere up there,"" freshman forward Michael Mersch said. ""You have to take care of yourself, hydrate well, get good rest. All the little things like that to keep our bodies in good shape.""
The team left on Wednesday, a day earlier than usual for road trips, to give the players extra time to adjust.
""It's a long trip up there,"" Barnes added. ""But in the end those are just excuses. When we get up there we have to be in the mindset of being ready to go and ready to play.""
""It's a cool place to go, but you're up at the North Pole pretty much,"" Dolan said.
