In response to Jim Emery's request for info on the Badgers.
 
Andrew Shier and Kelly Fairchild have shouldered much of the offensive load this
season.  Jason Zent was expected to step up in his senior year, but mostly he
has been invisible.  His wrist shot is one of the best in the country, but he
seems reluctant to use it.  In all fairness to Zent, he has been playing very
well lately.  Blaine Moore came back from an early season injury to lead the
team in goals.  In today's WI State Journal, Moore claims the memory of the 1992
NC$$ Championship game as his driving force.  He doesn't want to have that game
as his defining moment in hockey.
 
Jim Carey has played much more consistently in goal since the beginning of the
year.  Defenseman Brian Rafalski missed 2 weeks with a severed thumb tendon and
the Badgers lost two Saturday home games by 1 goal to lower division teams.
Since his return (with a cast), the Badgers are 5-1, including a sweep of
Northern at Lakeview Arena.
 
Freshman forward Dan Tompkins has been the biggest surprise.  At the start of
the season, he looked confused and had a tough time skating his whole shift.
Lately, he has played well, driving the net and hitting.  He even has the
game-winning goal Saturday versus Northern.
 
Freshman goaltender Kirk Daubenspeck has played only sparingly.  He looked good
against St. Petersburg Red Army, but had a shaky outing in January, and has not
been seen since.
 
Hope this helps.
 
Bob Mayville
Madison, WI