Opening weekend had its ups and downs on the ice for the No. 17 Wisconsin men's hockey team (0-0 WCHA, 1-1 overall), and those peaks and valleys were reflected in the outcome of both games. Facing unranked Northern Michigan, the Badgers had to battle back from two-goal deficits in both contests, but it was not always enough.
Wisconsin came out flat on opening night in a 3-2 overtime loss, but the young Badgers showed off their ability to battle back all weekend, which was instrumental in their 3-2 come-from-behind win on Saturday.
Both games this weekend started off in similar fashion, with Northern Michigan jumping out to two 2-0 leads, but it was the way in which the Badgers responded that would define each game.
Friday night saw Wisconsin use a furious rally in the final eight minutes of the third period, getting goals from sophomore Joe Faust and freshman Joseph LaBate (his first career goal in a Badgers uniform), to tie the game at 2-2 and force overtime.
However, UW's efforts were for naught as Northern Michigan sophomore forward Reed Seckel broke the Badger's hearts with a last second wrap-around goal to seal the game.
""It played out as one might think it would play out,"" said UW head coach Mike Eaves after Friday's loss. ""There were some darn good things and some things we need to work on.""
Among the things that Wisconsin needs to work on is the team's power play, which was anything but an advantage for much of the weekend. In Friday's loss, UW was a woeful one-for-ten on the man advantage and they finished the weekend with just two power play goals on a whopping 19 attempts.
Although Wisconsin's special teams held them back throughout the weekend, the Badgers still played well enough to have a chance to win both games.
Northern Michigan came out firing in the first period of Saturday's game, jumping out to a 2-0 lead in the first period behind two power play goals by senior forward Justin Florek. However, Wisconsin would not be denied on this night.
After tying the game with second period goals from sophomore forwards Tyler Barnes and Michael Mersch, junior center Derek Lee put the Badgers ahead with 3:44 remaining in the third period. Lee's wrap-around goal came on the same play that Northern Michigan used to defeat the Badgers in the series's first game.
If there was one player who personified Wisconsin's team on both nights, it was Justin Schultz. The junior defenseman, and UW's leading scorer from a year ago, was held off the score sheet on Friday, but played a major role in Saturday's win, recording three assists.
""The difference between tonight and last night is the fact that he wore his frustrations on his sleeve [on Friday],"" Eaves said of his star defenseman after Saturday's win, ""He's such a competitive young man, his virtue is his vice sometimes.""
Freshmen goaltenders Joel Rumpel and Landon Peterson each started one game this weekend and played well enough to earn continued playing time going forward. Eaves plans on giving both youngsters ample opportunities.
""I think we're going to keep doing what we're doing,"" Eaves said of his goaltender rotation. ""At this point right now, I see both kids continuing to play.""
The Badgers are hoping to continue their positive play next weekend as the WCHA conference schedule begins. Wisconsin kicks off their 2011-'12 WCHA slate with a trip to Houghton, Mich. for a two-game set with Michigan Tech.
