The Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Alabama-Huntsville
When: Thursday Dec.13 & Friday Dec. 14 7 p.m. CT
Where: Kohl Center (15.325)
Ice Sheet: 200' x 97’
TV: Thursday: Fox Sports Wisconsin (Live), Friday: Fox Sports Wisconsin + (Live) Both nights: Wisconsin Channel (Delay, 10 p.m.)
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads 6-0-0
Last Meeting: UW 5, Alabama-Huntsville 2 (10/17/10)
Still in search of their first win of the season at the Kohl Center, the Badgers play host to Alabama-Huntsville in the last series of 2012, Thursday and Friday night.
…. more after the jump ….
About the Chargers:
Record: 3-12-1
Head Coach: Kurt Kleinendorst 1st season (3-12-1)
Notable: Senior forward Sebastian Geoffrion and his brother, junior forward Brice are the brothers of Blake Geoffrion, who took home the Hobey Baker Award as a member of Wisconsin’s 2010 squad. The only common opponent the Chargers share with the Badgers is Minnesota State-Mankato. UAH recorded one point in two games against the Mavericks, while the Badgers were swept.
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Kyle Lysaght – 8pts (4 goals, 4 assists)
Goals: Jeff Vanderlugt – 5 goals
Assists: Alex Allan- 5 assists
Save Pct: John Griggs – .907
GAA: John Griggs – 3.60
About the Badgers:
Record: 2-7-5 (2-5-5 WCHA, 9 points, T-8th place)
Head Coach: Mike Eaves – 11th season (211-163-49 overall & at Wisconsin)
Notable: Wisconsin is unbeaten at home in its last four games and is unbeaten in six games against the Chargers at the Kohl Center. The last time UW and UAH faced off, then-freshman Mark Zengerle picked up five points in the two-game series.
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Michael Mersch – 11 points (9 goals, 2 assists)
Goals: Michael Mersch – 9 goals
Assists: Derek Lee – 8 assists
Save Pct: Landon Peterson – .939
GAA: Landon Peterson – 1.90
Quick analysis: Though it only resulted in a tie, last Saturday’s game against Michigan Tech brought about some signs of promise in the offensive end. The game was just the third time this season that the Badgers managed to score three or more goals in a game.
Simply put, if a series against UAH can’t get the offense going, nothing will. The Chargers give up nearly four goals per game on average, while they only score 1.6 goals per contest, a level of ineffectiveness that gives the Badgers’ offense a run for its money.
However, if Wisconsin is to build off of one of their best offensive performances of the season, they need to make the most of the first game of the series.
Distributing the puck offensively will be a key. Michael Mersch has nine goals on the campaign; no other Badger has more than three. This needs to change if Wisconsin has any hope of resurrecting its season.
It’s tough to say this about a team that has struggled so much his season, but the Badgers must sweep this series and do so decisively if they are to make any noise in the WCHA in the second half of the year.
Prediction: Wisconsin sweep- UW wins 4-2 on Thursday and 3-1 Friday.
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