BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Five takeaways from the Wisconsin men's hockey team following its non-conference games with St. Lawrence and Clarkson:
One: The Badgers did some uncommon things during their trip to upstate New York, not the least of which was have success. They toppled 18th-ranked St. Lawrence 5-2 on Friday in Canton and held on for a 5-4 victory over Clarkson in Potsdam on Saturday. The last time UW (4-2 overall) made a regular-season trip out east and returned with a winning record was in 1986-87 when the old Western Collegiate Hockey Association-Hockey East Association scheduling alliance was in place. The Badgers went 2-0 against Hockey East opponents Northeastern and Providence, finishing 3-1 overall out east with a win against Maine and the loss coming at Lowell. Wisconsin's captain and leading scorer that season? Current head coach Tony Granato.
Two: Playing an ECAC school on its own rink takes some getting used to and it can be intimidating. UW associate head coach Mark Osiecki described it as "old school, Norris Division, NHL-style hockey." Big. Hard-hitting. In your face. Osiecki said it was an eye-opener for the players, who adapted quickly nonetheless. "I thought once we got into that first period, I think the lightbulb went on and they understood it," he said. "They didn't shy away. That was good to see."
Three: The Badgers were assessed 17 penalties and allowed three power-play goals over the two games. While the early-season crackdown on hooking, holding and interference continues, five of the infractions by UW players were stick penalties, which suggests a lack of self-control. "You can't let anyone get under your skin and you can never let the refs become a factor in a game," Osiecki said. "I think there were probably four to six penalties over the weekend that we need to clean up, that we can control. If we can take care of that then we're in a better situation."
Four: Sophomore center and captain Luke Kunin accounted for three goals on the weekend, but scoring balance carried the day. UW got conversions from seven other sources during the two victories. It marked the first time in six seasons the Badgers generated five goals or more in consecutive games. The last instance was Nov. 25 and 26 of 2011 when they whipped Mercyhurst 7-2 and 5-2. The last time UW accomplished that feat on the road was Feb. 26 and 27 of 2010 when it handed Michigan Tech a pair of 5-2 setbacks. Wisconsin currently ranks fourth nationally with an average of 4.33 goals per game.
Five: It's unusual to see the same non-conference opponent fill multiple spots on the schedule, but that's the case Friday and Saturday when WCHA member Northern Michigan comes to the Kohl Center. The clubs opened the season Oct. 7 and 8 in Green Bay, splitting a pair of one-goal decisions. The rematch represents a quick turnaround that should be enlightening. "It's somewhat of a measuring stick to see where you're at and see how we're growing as a team," Osiecki said. The Badgers have beaten two ranked foes and are 3-1 since that series. The Wildcats, meanwhile, are 1-4-1 since those games at the Resch Center.
