As the 2011-'12 college hockey season prepares for its stretch, the postseason pictures across the country are beginning to take shape.
Like many other teams in the nation the Wisconsin men's hockey team (7-9-2 WCHA, 12-10-2 overall) is jockeying for conference position as it faces off with North Dakota (9-9-0, 13-10-2) in a series that carries heavy postseason implications.
The current playoff picture in the WCHA is muddled at best. The fifth- through ninth-place teams in the conference are separated by just three points, ensuring that each weekend from here on out will be played at postseason intensity.
Anytime these two rivals get together emotions tend to run high. But, when the ninth-place Badgers (16 points) matchup with sixth-place North Dakota (18 points) this weekend there will certainly be a palpable playoff atmosphere.
"The second half is a whole different mentality," junior forward Derek Lee said. "I think every weekend no matter who you're playing it's a playoff mentality, especially with the position we're in right now where we're trying to get into that home ice six spot."
As their games take on increasing importance the Badgers appear to be hitting their stride just at the right time. Wisconsin is 7-2-1 in its past 10 games, but it will have to find a way to translate its current momentum onto the road-where it has a dismal 1-6-1 record this season-this weekend against North Dakota.
"I think the main thing is just being simple and not getting too complicated out there because that is where things start to break down for us," junior defenseman Justin Schultz said of his team's struggles on the road this season.
As far as road games go, they don't get much tougher than playing against North Dakota within the confines of Ralph Englestad Arena-historically one of the toughest buildings to play in in college hockey. This season has not reaped the type of success that the UND hockey program is accustomed to, but the team still boasts a 9-4-2 record on its home ice.
For many members of the Badgers, this will be their first experience playing at North Dakota. Only five players on the roster have made the trip to Grand Forks in their careers, and head coach MikeEaves is anxious to see how his young team reacts to the new environment.
"It's going to be a real good test for our kids," Eaves said. "We as a staff are very much interested to see how we respond and see if we can play in that atmosphere because that's the kind of atmosphere you're going to play at when it comes time to win, or try to win a championship."
Part of Wisconsin's recent success can be attributed to the continued maturation of its young roster. With half a season of college hockey experience under their belts, the Badgers are starting to get more consistent efforts from their younger players-such as freshmen like forward Joseph LaBate and goaltender Joel Rumpel-a huge key for Wisconsin if it is going to make a run up the WCHA standings in the season's second half.
"I'm trying to play like a sophomore," LaBate said. "Playing in the league for 24 games now you kind of get the hang of things and definitely try to play a little more confident."
"There are no freshmen, no rookies after Christmas," Rumpel added.
