Chicago, Il — Wisconsin scored early, and they scored often. They scored at even strength, on the power play and on the penalty kill.
After splitting a home series against Michigan State last weekend, Wisconsin has found itself in a position where it needs positive results.
“I don’t think the work ethic was where it needed to be. They obviously wanted it more. It was on us."
No. 18 Wisconsin (4-7-2 Big Ten, 10-11-3 overall) vs. Michigan State (3-9-1-1, 9-13-1) Saturday, 7 p.m. Kohl Center.
The transition from high school or juniors to college hockey can be incredibly difficult, even for the most gifted players.
A struggling Wisconsin team coming off a stretch of underwhelming performances who’s status in the Big Ten and on the NCAA Tournament bubble uncertain welcomes a last-place Michigan State team to the Kohl Center and looks to re-energize itself in the first home series of the new year. Deja vu, anyone?
For many, the new year is a time for change, a time for reinvention, a time to improve yourself and to achieve your goals.
Outside No. 2 Notre Dame, which is still undefeated in Big Ten play through ten games, the rest of the conference has been unpredictable, with each team having major fluctuations in their play.
Another 40 minutes of strong play against one of the nation’s top teams, and once again nothing to show for it. A night after breaking a 38-game unbeaten streak when leading after two periods and costing themselves a chance at a marquee win, the No. 12 Wisconsin men’s hockey team (4-5-1 Big Ten, 10-9-2 overall) was once again done in by a late-game offensive surge by No. 4 Notre Dame (10-0-0, 16-3-1) as they fell 6-2 Saturday night at the Kohl Center. The two teams traded goals for much of the first two periods, with the Irish taking a pair of one-goal leads on a power play tally from sophomore forward Cal Burke and a shorthanded strike from junior defenseman Dennis Gilbert.
With No. 4 Notre Dame traveling to the Kohl Center, Wisconsin was looking for what would be its best win so far this season.
No. 12 Wisconsin (4-3-1 Big Ten, 10-7-2 overall) against No. 4 Notre Dame (8-0-0, 14-3-1). Wisconsin is 5-4-2 at home, and Notre Dame is 6-0-0 on the road. Last weekend, Wisconsin split a series with Minnesota and Notre Dame swept Michigan State.
Coming off the worst seasons in program history — just 12 wins over two years and back-to-back missed NCAA tournaments — the expectations weren’t very high for Wisconsin’s men’s hockey team in 2016-’17.
With recent surprise losses to 1-12-1 St. Lawrence, a Michigan State team that is 1-4-1 in the Big Ten and 5-5-2 Mercyhurst, the Badgers have dropped from No. 5 in the nation to No. 14, and easily could be feeling the pressure of an upcoming weekend trip to No. 7 Minnesota (3-4-1 Big Ten, 9-6-1 overall). But, despite its recent losses — dropping from a championship contender to a fringe tournament team and traveling to a challenging atmosphere to play a difficult opponent — Wisconsin (3-2-1-0, 9-6-2-0) is not letting the pressure get to them.
Another weekend, another underwhelming result. After seemingly building some momentum against Michigan, No. 14 Wisconsin (3-2-1-0 Big Ten, 9-6-2-0 overall) split a weekend series against a weak Mercyhurst (2-2-2-0 Atlantic Hockey, 5-5-2-0) opponent that an aspiring tournament and championship team should likely sweep.
They were losing, then winning, then losing again and then they ultimately tied. Saturday night’s matchup with Michigan (2-2-1-1 Big Ten, 6-4-2 overall) followed an unusual, yet familiar story for Wisconsin’s men’s hockey team (3-2-1-0, 8-5-2), as they mounted a comeback to erase an early deficit but couldn’t seal the deal in an eventful 4-4 tie. The stage was set dramatically in the first seven minutes as the Badgers dug themselves a quick two-goal hole on goals from Michigan’s Cooper Marody and Tony Calderone.
Difficulty putting together a full weekend Wisconsin has struggled to put together a full weekend all season.
Coming into this season, the Badgers felt like they had a legitimate shot to win a national championship.
Coming into this season, many thought the Big Ten was going to primarily be a five-team race between Minnesota, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Ohio State and Penn State. Now, after a 2-1-1 conference start and a 6-3-1 overall start, including a win and a tie against No. 7 Minnesota, Michigan has reestablished themselves as a competitive, quality hockey team with legitimate Big Ten Championship aspirations.
In the middle of the season, it is a common theme for coaches to dissect how a team is playing potentially above tangible results.
It’s not easy being a freshman collegiate athlete. Even if you’ve figured out your classes and practice schedule and gotten adjusted to the level of competition, there’s still any number of little things that can trip you up and get you off your game.
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Solutions by The State News
