Men’s Hockey: Michigan Tech Series Preview

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The Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Michigan Tech

When: Friday Dec. 7 & Saturday Dec. 8 7 p.m. CT

Where: Kohl Center (15.325)

Ice Sheet: 200' x 97’

TV: Fox Sports Wisconsin (Live), Wisconsin Channel (Delay, 10 p.m.)

All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads 98-46-8

Last Meeting: Michigan Tech 3, Wisconsin 2 (OT)-  The Huskies completed a sweep of the Badgers in the only series between the two teams last season.

The Badgers play host to Michigan Tech in hopes of securing the elusive first home win of the season.

…. more after the jump ….

 

About the Huskies:

 

Record: 4-8-1(3-6-1 WCHA,  7 points, T-8th place)

Head Coach: Mel Pearson 2nd season (20-27-5)

Notable: Wisconsin owned an 11-game winning streak over the Huskies until Tech pulled off a sweep last season. The Huskies haven’t won in Madison since Nov. 2, 2007. Freshman forward, C.J. Eick is an Appleton, Wis. native.

 

 Statistical Leaders:

Points: Alex Petan – 13pts (4 goals, 9 assists)

Goals: Blake Pietila – 9 goals

Assists: Alex Petan- 9 assists

Save Pct: Jamie Phillips – .906

GAA: Jamie Phillips – 2.34 gaa

 

About the Badgers:

Record: 2-7-3 (2-5-3 WCHA, 7 points, T-8th place)

Head Coach: Mike Eaves – 11th season (211-163-47 overall & at Wisconsin)

Notable: With a sweep this weekend, the Badgers would have 100 wins all-time against Michigan Tech. The 98 wins they currently have are the second most against any single opponent (Colorado College 108).

 

 Statistical Leaders:

Points: Michael Mersch & Derek Lee – 9 points

Goals: Michael Mersch – 9 goals

Assists: Derek Lee – 8 assists

Save Pct: Landon Peterson – .933

GAA: Landon Peterson – 2.12 gaa

 

This weekend will be a tale of two teams who need to get it in gear in order to salvage their seasons.

Michigan Tech picked up one point against Minnesota-Duluth last weekend and then lost a 2-1 game to Northern Michigan on Tuesday evening.

Wisconsin is coming off an impressive series where it stole three points from No. 5 Denver on the road.

The first game of the series will be especially crucial. If the Badgers can take game one, it will be especially hard for a Huskies squad that is playing its fourth game in a week to keep pace in the series finale.

This series could mark a potential turning point for a UW power play that has been struggling to this point in the year. Tech’s penalty kill sits at just 75 percent.

Prediction: Split- Michigan Tech wins 3-2 Friday, Wisconsin wins 4-2 on Saturday.

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