The Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Northern Michigan
Dates: Friday/Saturday, October 7/8 7 PM CT
Location: Green Bay, Wisconsin
Ice Surface: 200’ X 100’
TV: None
Radio: Friday- WIBA-AM 1310. Saturday- WIBA-AM 1310
Video Stream: WCHA.tv
Audio Stream: Badgersportsnetwork.com (Free)
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads (47-29-8 ); NMU leads 5-3-2 in the last five years
Last Meeting: Tie 3-3
About Northern Michigan:
Record: 0-0-0
Head Coach: Walt Kyle (15th year- 252-241-64)
Noteable: This is the sixth consecutive year Northern Michigan opens its season with a series against the Badgers. Northern Michigan holds a 4-1-1 record in series games played at the Resch Center in Green Bay. The Wildcats beat The University of Victoria in an exhibition 10-1.
Stat Leaders (Returning for 2016-17):
Points: Dominick Shine (30 – 15 goals, 15 assists)
Goals: Shine (15)
Assists: Gerard Hanson (18)
Save Pct.: Atte Tolvanane (.928)
Goals Against Average: Tolvanen (2.46)
About Wisconsin:
Record: 0-0-0
Head Coach: Tony Granato (1st Season –0-0-0)
Notable: Despite the positive vibes coming from the Wisconsin locker room the Badgers were picked second to last in the Big Ten preseason poll by other Big Ten coaches. Wisconsin also won 10-1 over the University of Victoria in an exhibition matchup prior to this series.
Stat Leaders (Returning for 2016-17)
Points: Grant Besses (33)
Goals: Luke Kunin (19)
Assists: Grant Besse (22)
Save Pct.: Matt Jurusik (.892)
Goals Against Average: Matt Jurusik (3.46)
Quick Analysis:
The name of the game in this series is going to be which team’s defense can step up and stop the other team’s offense. UW head coach Tony Granato has talked about creative and aggressive on offense this season, but NMU’s defense was pretty stout a season ago and UW’s offense had issues sustaining pressure.
Both Wisconsin and Northern Michigan have explosive offenses who have potential to put up major points. Wisconsin is lead by sophomore captain Luke Kunin and Senior Grant Besse. The dynamic duo is looking for a third Badger to join in and contribute night in night out.
Early favorites include sophomore Seamus Malone and newcomer forward Trent Frederic.
Wisconsin will again turn to Matt Jurusik in between the pipes, after a rocky first season last year. The sophomore will be key as Wisconsin has a lot of question marks at defense, having won what the coach called an open competition in the summer.
Players to watch for Northern Michigan include seniors Sami Salminen and Dominick Shine, along with Robbie Payne, a dynamic junior who is an assist machine for the Wildcats.
Either way, expect these games to stay close to the end.
Prediction:
Friday- Wisconsin 4 Northern Michigan 2
Saturday- Wisconsin 3 Northern Michigan 1
Perhaps just sipping the Granato Kool Aid here but I truly believe in a 180 degree turn for this team. I like the Badgers to open the season with a sweep of Northern Michigan.
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