Just got back from the Bank One Badger Hockey Showdown (thanks
for the ticket, Santa!!).  Two very good games.
 
In the opener, Providence jumped to a 3-1 lead after one over
Northern Michigan.  NMU fought back to take a 4-3 lead in the
third, but the Friars responded with the equalizer with about
5 min. left in the game.  The Huskies got the game winner with
about 2:15 left.
 
I didn't see the whole game, but I was impressed by Providence.
They appeared much stronger than their record led me to believe.
NMU survived a big scare and got the job done in the end.
 
Providence   3  0  1 - 4
N. Mich.     1  2  2 - 5
 
In the nightcap, the Wisconsin Badgers scored 5 minutes into the
game, but the Nanooks of Alaska-Fairbanks scored two power-play
goals for a 2-1 lead after one.  The Badgers seemed to droop a bit
after missing numerous chances in the first half of the period.
UAF was awesome with the man advantage (more on this later).
 
Wisconsin came out very focused in the second period and scored 21
seconds along.  They moved to a 4-2 lead before UAF pulled to within
one at the end of 40 minutes (another power-play goal).
 
The Badgers put the game away in the final period, outscoring UAF 4-2
including a short-hander.
 
Alaska-Fairbanks   2  1  2 - 5
Wisconsin          1  3  4 - 8
 
The stat of the game ... power play efficiency.  Wisconsin came into
the game at 19% and went 2 for 5 (40%) for the night.  UAF is at
33% (!) for the season and was 4 for 6 (66%) tonight!  All the
frustrations Badger fans have felt at the team's mediocre power play
over the past several seasons (it seems longer...) were rising to the
top as the Nanooks showed everyone how it should be done.
 
Wisconsin displayed their skills in the final two periods as they
played the kind of hockey they are capable of (what a cliche, eh?).
After one period of trying for the *perfect* pass or the *perfect*
feed on the back door (like the 4 on 1 rush that resulted in no
shot on goal...), UW picked up the pace and started shooting on net
and driving for the rebound.  The results can be seen above.
 
The one major problem is the lack of discipline the team seems to be
prone to.  When an opponent comes into the game with the above
mentioned power play stats, and is smoking your tail when given
the opportunity, you should play within yourself and not let your
emotions get the better of you, right???  Not so with a number of
Badgers tonight (Jason Zent, in particular).  When you are up by
3 or 4 goals late in the game, there is no need to hold an opponents
helmet on the ice after the whistle has blown.  Another Badger (Brian
Rafalski?) got a double minor for cross-checking a UAF player from
behind after the whistle had blown.  This with a 4 goal lead and
only 6 minutes left in the game.  As it was, he was lucky 'cause it
probably should have been a 5 minute major.  Dumb, dumb, dumb!
 
Anyway, both games tomorrow should be great matchups, with the top
two teams in the WCHA vying for the Petit Trophy at 8pm.
 
--
Steve Manning
UW '85
Milwaukee, WI
Roosssssseeeeeee Booooowwwwwwllllll.....
Roosssssseeeeeee Booooowwwwwwllllll.....