The Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Arizona State
Dates: Friday-Saturday, October 30-31, 7 PM CT
Location: Kohl Center
Ice Surface: 200’ X 97’
TV: Friday/Saturday BTN Network.
Radio: WIBA AM 1310
Video Stream: BTN2go.com/BTN2go app
Audio Stream: Badgersportsnetwork.com (Free)
All-Time Series: First series
Last Meeting: First series
About Arizona State University
Record: 3-4-0
Head Coach: Greg Powers (1st season — 3-4-0)
Notable: Newly Division One program, Arizona State has three wins on the season, got their first win as a Division One program against another Division One program beating Alaska Fairbanks 2-1 on October 10th. Since that win, ASU has added a pair of wins against Sothern New Hampshire at home.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Joey Raats (8)
Goals: 6 tied at 2
Assists: Joey Raats (7)
Save Pct.: David Jacobson (.935)
Goals Against Average: David Jacobson (1.86)
About Wisconsin:
Record: 0-3-3 (0-0-0 in Big Ten)
Head Coach: Mike Eaves (14th Season – 259-207-61)
Notable: Wisconsin enters the home stand still looking for their first win of the season. Grant Besse and Luke Kunin, who may be seeing time on the same line, are the Badger’s two best options on the ice. Expect more of those two if the Badgers want to win.
Stat Leaders
Points: Grant Besse (5)
Goals: 3 tied at 2 (Grant Besse, Luke Kunin, Jake Linhart)
Assists: 4 tied at 3 (Besse, Adam Rockwood, Seamus Malone, Kevin Schulze)
Save Pct.: Matt Jurusik (.890)
Goals Against Average: Matt Jurusik (3.57)
Quick Analysis:
Badgers vs. Sun Devils in this Halloween matchup as Arizona comes to Madison, Wis. for a two-game series.
Arizona State’s stats make them look a bit better than they are. They have not played the level of competition the Badgers have played so you can’t take the stats at just face value.
The Badgers experience is the x-factor for me the whole series. In a twist on the norm, Wisconsin is the more experienced team in this one. This is Arizona’s state first year playing Division One hockey and that new level of competition is nothing new for a historic organization like Wisconsin.
Wisconsin has a distinct advantage in talent and they are hoping to put it all together in culmination of the first win of the season. This team is overdue for a win already, nothing will stand in their way this weekend.
Prediction:
Friday: Wisconsin: 4 Arizona State: 2, Saturday: Wisconsin: 4 Arizona State: 3
I love taking Wisconsin in the sweep here. They will bully a nervous Arizona State team and come away with victories both nights.
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