Badgers meet Huskies for 2009 Kohl Center finales
December 04, 2009 | Men's Hockey
Dec. 4, 2009
MADISON, Wis. - Wisconsin (8-5-1, 5-4-1 WCHA) returns to the Kohl Center for the first time since Nov. 14 to take on Michigan Tech (3-9-0, 2-8-0 WCHA) for the last two games of this men's hockey season at the Kohl Center in 2009. Games are tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m.
The Wisconsin-Michigan Tech series dates back to 1929 and these games mark the 143rd and 144th meetings in history. The Badgers hold a 90-44-8 all-time edge in the series, including 56-17-4 in Madison, and have gone 4-0-1 in the last five meetings. Wisconsin has taken the last three games.
The Badgers have been dominant all season in one statistical category in particular - shots on goal. The Badgers own a 15.50 shots-per-game advantage over opponents, the most of any team in country, and lead the nation with 38.79 shots per game. That average has translated to the eight-best offense in the nation at 3.71 goals per game.
The UW offense has been explosive, having posted eight games with at least four goals through 14 games, but the Badgers work for consistency on the offensive end. They are 8-0-0 when reaching four goals, but sit 0-5-1 when collected two goals or less.
Reigning WCHA Co-Offensive Player of the Week Derek Stepan comes off a six-point weekend and a five-point contest last Friday at Michigan State, while defenseman Brendan Smith posted four points for his second WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honor. Both look to aid the UW offensive effort to help find that consistency.
Friday's game airs live on TVW in Madison and Charter Extra 87 and Time Warmer Cable around the state. Saturday's game is live on FSN Wisconsin. Both games air tape delayed on the Wisconsin Channel at 10 p.m.
The game airs on the Wisconsin Radio Network, including WIBA-AM 1310 on Friday and WTSO-AM 1070 on Saturday. For a fee, the broadcast can be heard online at UWBadgers.com.
Friday's game is available via video Web stream for a fee at UWBadgers.com, while both nights, a free video stream airs online at 10 p.m. The Wisconsin Channel Web site.
Finally, live stats and a live blog can be found at UWBadgers.com.
