The Matchup: Wisconsin vs. No. 2 Boston University
Dates: Jan. 9 & 10; 7pm CT both days
Location: Kohl Center
Ice Surface: 200’ X 97’
TV: Wisconsin Channel (both nights)
Radio: Friday – WIBA AM 1310
Video Stream: BTN2go
Audio Stream: Badgersportsnetwork.com (Free)
All-Time Series: UW leads 4-0-0
Last Meeting: Boston won 7-3
About Boston University
Record: 11-3-3 in Overall, 7-1-2 in Conference
Head Coach: David Quinn (2nd Season 21-24-7)
Notable: Boston University comes to madison ranked No. 2 in the USCHO.com Hockey Rankings. They are Wisconsin’s third opponent that was at some point ranked number one this season (North Dakota and Michigan Tech).
The most notable story line with the BU Terriers could possibly be found in Freshman Jack Eichel. The 6-3 Massachusetts native is highly regarded as the top NHL prospect in the 2015 Draft. With comparisons to Alex Ovechkin and Sydney Crosby, Eichel is one of college hockey’s brightest stars.
BU Stat Leaders:
Points: Jack Eichel (27)
Goals: Danny O’Regan (12)
Assists: Jack Eichel (19)
Save Pct.: Matt O’Connor (.941)
Goals Against Average: Matt O’Connor (1.67)
About Wisconsin:
Record: 2-11-1 Overall, 0-2-0-0 in Conference
Head Coach: Mike Eaves (13th Season – 257-190-54)
Notable: The Badgers are coming off a win against top five team Michigan Tech after beating the Huskies 2-0 in the second of a two game series. Morgan Zulinick has scored a goal in each of the last four games giving him team high five goals on the season. Joel Rumpel returns to between the pipes for the Badgers after posting a carer high forty-seven saves in the Badgers 2-0 upset victory over Michigan Tech.
UW Stat Leaders:
Points: Grant Besse (8)
Goals: Morgan Zulinick (5)
Assists: 4 Tied at 5
Save Pct.: Joel Rumpel (.904)
Goals Against Average: Joel Rumpel (3.17)
Quick Analysis:
Morale and confidence are high in Madison. Wisconsin after the Badgers pulled a major upset over a top five Michigan Tech team, however things could be different with the Terriers from Boston University coming to town.
The formula for the Badgers will undoubtedly be the same as when they faced Michigan Tech: Play tough defense and stay alive on the defensive end and hope they can get a scrappy goal.
While it was successful for one night against Tech, it will be a challenge to see that work on Boston.
Boston University is a traditional powerhouse in college hockey and has more experience winning games on the road than a Michigan Tech squad who exploded onto the map just this season.
Another main issue with that strategy is that Wisconsin can not rely on Joel Rumpel to make forty-seven saves every night, side note that this is same guy who let three goals in on five shots just the night before, but more importantly Wisconsin can not expect Joel to play at that level every single night.
Boston is far too skilled to be held scoreless in these games and the Badgers have yet to prove that they have the ability to out score anyone they have played.
Prediction: Friday- Wisconsin 0, Boston 4. Saturday- Wisconsin 1, Boston 5.
Jack Eichel and the Terriers just prove to be far too solid all around and sweep the Badgers in Madison
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