The view from section 223...  For the first time this season, the
Badgers played well at a game I attended.  On Friday, the Badgers fell
behind 3-1 before exploding for five third period goals and a 6-3 win.  On
Saturday, they endured a strong NoDak first period to be only down 1-0
before starting the comeback.  The second period had good play by both
sides, although NoDak was robbed at least once by Daubenspeck standing on
his head to make saves.  Sabo for Wisconsin picked a good time to score his
first goal of the year on a power play to tie the game at 1.  With under a
minute left in the period, the Badgers were killing off a Souix penalty.
Bill Howard, doing color commentary, commented that we'll be glad to get
out of the period at 1-1.  Max Williams had other ideas, stealing the puck
from one player and faking out another to create a 2-on-0 breakaway.  He
held, held, looked to pass, and then rifled a backhand past Kvalevog who
expected the pass.  The Dane erupts.  2-1 Badgers, and tons of momentum.
        In the third period, an already shaky Kvalevog ducked away from a
Strobel shot from the blue line on a 1-on-2, letting in a goal and making
coach Blais think for approximately one second before giving him the hook.
A late goal and powerplay by North Dakota made the game interesting, but
there was no stopping the Badgers tonight.  3-2 final.  After the
handshakes, the Badger players saluted the crowd with raised sticks in ring
around center ice.  Given good play to cheer about, the crowd gave lots of
noise back tonight.
        As for NoDak... the obnoxious fans with a Badger doll hanging from
a hockey stick were feeling awfully sheepish by the end of the game.  It's
a long drive back to Grand Forks, boys.  If the Souix were on cloud nine
last week, they were re-introduced to the cold earth this weekend.  They
played fairly well, but were done in by goaltending -- Kvalevog was
decidedly shaky, and Daubenspeck has found his zone.
        This Badger team still has a long way to go -- I don't expect them
to compete with the Minnesotas or CCs of the world this year, but they are
looking a heckuva lot stronger going into the playoffs.  If they can upset
someone (perhaps NoDak!) in the first round of the WCHA's, they are in the
comfy confines of the Bradley Center for the Final Five.  The team is
resembling last year's team again -- the talent is not overwhelming, but
team play and hot goaltending can surprise some "more talented" teams.
Teeder who....?
        Prognosis: WI can and should sweep NMU next week, although the
Wildcats are starting to show up for games now.  They close the season at
home vs. UMN.  I daren't hope for more than a split, based on history and
the sheer talent on that gopher team.  They could get swept, or if MN looks
past them, sweep.  Prediction: 3-1 in the last four games.
 
        Drop tha puck, eh?
 
 
-==-John R. [log in to unmask] Chem. Dept-==-
                 --- "When in doubt, roll!" ---
 
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