The Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Colorado College
When: Friday, November 21st; 8:30pm CT
Location: The Broadmoor World Arena
Ice Surface: 200’ X 100’
TV: None
Radio: WIBA AM 1310
Video Stream: NCHC.tv ($)
Audio Stream: Badgersportsnetwork.com (Free)
All-Time Series: UW leads the series 111-66-9
Last Meeting: Badgers won 4-3 in OT
About Colorado College:
Record: 2-7-0
Head Coach: Mike Haviland, 1st season with Colorado College (2-7-0)
Notable: After starting out the season hot with back to back wins over Alabama Huntsville the tigers have struggled losing the next seven games, including a 1-8 loss by Denver in their last outing.
Mike Haviland in his first season coaching the Tigers is looking for far better defense as they are allowing an average of 4.2 goals a game.
One Bright spot in this season so far has been Cody Bradley, who leads Colorado College in points and goals this season.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Cody Bradley (6)
Goals: Cody Bradley (4)
Assists: Peter Maric and Sam Rothstein (3)
Save Pct.: Chase Perry (.876)
Goals Against Average: Chase Perry (4.31 GAA)
About Wisconsin:
Record: 0-6
Head Coach: Mike Eaves (13th Season – 255-186-53)
Notable: The Badgers enter in this game desperate for a win. The team had another hiatus after dropping a pair of games at home to North Dakota early in November.
The players have been working hard and are hungry for a win to validate that hard work.
The emergence of Senior Chase Drake and Sophomore Grant Besse as point producers could be what these young Badgers need to sneak out a win on the road.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Chase Drake and Grant Besse (3)
Goals: Chase Drake (2)
Assists: Three tied at 2
Save Pct.: Landon Peterson (.968)
Goals Against Average: Landon Peterson (1.02 GAA)
Quick Analysis:
When looking at the matchup between these two teams they are actually a lot similar than what some may think.
The Badgers main weakness is their youth. The team is struggling to play together and still searching for an identity as a hockey team.
Colorado College is also somewhat searching for their identity with first year head coach Mike Havidas. Havidas is trying to implement his system into Colorado College and is experiencing some road bumps along the way.
Grant Besse, who finally broke out of his scoreless slump, looks to really take control of the Badgers. Look for the sophomore to come out and really play aggressive.
A huge area of weakness for the Colorado College Tigers is their goal tending and defensive play allowing 4.2 goals a game.
This sets up the Badgers to really break through with their struggles finding he net. This game could be what gets the wheels rolling for the Badgers
Prediction: Wisconsin 4, Colorado College 2
With both teams on a losing streak and desperate for a victory this should be a close one in Colorado Springs. Colorado College’s defense collapses under aggressive attack from the Badgers, Wisconsin’s hard work in practice pays off, and they win their first game of the season in a close one.
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