After losing to No. 6 Michigan in a shootout last Saturday, the Badgers (6-13-7 overall, 1-8-3 Big Ten) welcome Michigan State (7-20-3, 3-10-1) to the Kohl Center, looking to earn at least another series split with the Spartans.
The Saturday game was a microcosm of Wisconsin’s season: The Badgers came close to earning a victory over a top team, but ultimately could not find the back of the net to break the tie. This was the second time Wisconsin tied Michigan but lost in the shootout.
“Again, we're not where we want to be, but we're forging to that point, and we have to keep pounding it in terms of how we're improving and the areas that we're improving,” head coach Mike Eaves said in a press conference Monday.
This pattern has developed over the course of the season, as the Badgers have accumulated seven ties. They played No. 10 Denver to a tie, lost by one to No. 15 Penn State and tied Ohio State. The one feather in the Badgers’ cap is a win against No. 4 North Dakota.
When they faced off against the Spartans in December, the Badgers twice blew a two-goal lead. Michigan State tied the game with just under four minutes to play and then took the lead just 40 seconds later.
If the Badgers are to finally shed the curse of "close but no cigar," this would be the weekend to do it. They have proven they have the ability to play with top teams and, without the late collapse in the first game against the Spartans, Wisconsin would have completed a sweep.
Offensively, sophomore forward Ryan Wagner has turned up his play a notch, scoring four goals in the last four games. He tallied a score in both games against Michigan last weekend and is now second on the team in goals with 10. He is also tied for second in points with 21.
“He was a goal scorer in AAA Midget Hockey; He helped his team win a National Championship,” Eaves said. “He's feeling it again like he did when he was a Midget player; that's nice for us.”
Ultimately, though, it will be up to the top line to carry the offense. Junior forward Grant Besse, sophomore forward Cameron Hughes and freshman forward Luke Kunin accounted for three of the Badgers’ four goals in their tie against Michigan. Besse continues to lead the team in points with 24 and Kunin leads the team in goals with 12. This highly skilled line will have to find a way to beat Spartan senior goalie Jake Hildebrand, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year and Goaltender of the Year. He was also named a First Team All-American last campaign. While his numbers this year are less impressive than last (.930 save percentage to .900), he poses a difficult challenge for the young Badger offense.
“He's one of the best around, and he gives them a chance to win every night, and we're going to have to make it difficult for him,” Eaves said.
Freshman goalie Matt Jurusik will play a key role in the Badgers’ success this weekend. After the late-game breakdown in the first series against Michigan State, Jurusik responded with a shutout the following night, his only one of the season. If Jurusik can put together 60 solid minutes between the pipes both Friday and Saturday, Wisconsin stands a good chance at earning a pair of Big Ten wins.
Eaves continued to praise Jurusik’s growth, despite allowing eight goals over the two games against Michigan.
“He continues to have a pretty mature approach to all that's going on. His work ethic continues -- he continues to believe in what he can do,” Eaves said. “He continues to work with coach [Jeff] Sanger in terms of what's going on, how can I get better. So like the rest of our team, he's forging ahead in the right direction.”
The return of big-hitting senior defenseman Eddie Wittchow provided a boost to Wisconsin in its tie against Michigan and he will need to continue to use his size to help out in front of Jurusik. The Badger defense will have to slow down junior forward Mackenzie MacEachern who has 10 goals and 12 assists to lead the team with 22 points. Freshman Mason Appleton, who hails from Green Bay, leads the Spartans in assists with 15. Senior forward Michael Ferrantino, seven goals, 13 assists, rounds out this line. If Wisconsin can contain the Spartans top shift from lighting the lamp, they have a chance for a series sweep.
Wisconsin can climb out of the Big Ten cellar with two wins against Michigan State this weekend. The puck drops at 8 p.m. both Friday and Saturday night.
