First off, as the song says (on a local radio promo), "I'm proud to be a cheesehead from Wisconsin!" Secondly, remember the discussion a while back about skating after a game? Well, it just happened here. After a thoroughly lackluster performance in a 6-1 loss at home to St. Cloud, the Badger players had an hour-long closed-door meeting and asked the press to leave. The coaches left before the meeting was over, and the team captains organized an hour-long practice on the ice. No coaches were present, and no uniforms were worn. This, of course, is illegal, if a coach was present (none were). The Badgers are very frustrated with the lack of playing as a team that they are currently displaying, given the level of talent that they have. To beat Michigan on the road and lose badly to SCS at home is quite an example of inconsistency! If the team can gel and play as a team, they will go far in the NCAA tourney. If not, they may not even make it there. And yes, the Badgers and Gophers are now tied in the WCHA standings... The good news: Wisconsin broke a major power-play drought, with three ppgs this weekend. -===-John R. [log in to unmask] Chem. Dept-===-