The Matchup: #2 North Dakota at Wisconsin
Dates: November 7th and 8th
Location: Madison, WI. Kohl Center (15,359)
Ice Surface: 200’ X 97’
TV: Friday – none, Saturday – Wisconsin Channel
Radio: WIBA AM 1310
Video Stream: Friday – BTN Plus ($), Saturday – BTN2Go.com
Audio Stream: Badgersportsnetwork.com
All-Time Series: UW leads the series 88-66-12 (45-26-3 in Madison, WI.)
Last Meeting: North Dakota won 5-2 in the first round of the NCAA tournament
About North Dakota:
Record: 5-1-1
Head Coach: Dave Hakstol, (11th Season – 265-133-41)
Notable: After dropping the season opener to Bemidji State, North Dakota has been nothing but solid winning four straight games and booting themselves into number 2 in the USCHO.com ‘s Top 25 Poll. They added their fifth win against Air Force with a 3-2 OT win in the U.S Hockey Hall of Fame Game.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Drake Caggiula (8 points)
Goals: Mark MacMillan (5 goal)
Assists: 4 tied at 6 assists
Save Pct.: Zane McIntyre (.931)
Goals Against Average: Zane McIntyre (1.95 GAA)
About Wisconsin:
Record: 0-4
Head Coach: Mike Eaves (13th Season – 255-184-53)
Notable: The Badgers open up at the Kohl Center after a two-week break from competitive action after dropping a pair of games to Northern Michigan on neutral ice. The two weeks off have been busy for UW and Mike Eaves has been seeing the improvements. Eaves expects the hard work during practice to translate nicely to competitive play.
Stat Leaders:
Points: Ryan Wagner (2 points)
Goals: Three tied at 1 goal
Assists: Ryan Wagner (2 assist)
Save Pct.: Landon Peterson (.968)
Goals Against Average: Landon Peterson (1.02 GAA)
Quick Analysis:
Emotions will be high in Madison, Wis. this weekend as UW and UND look to write another chapter in their storied rivalry. The 0-4 Badgers look to revenge last year’s early departure from the NCAA tournament at the hands of UND losing 5-2.
This season has not started much better than the last one ended for the Badgers, especially on offense. Through their first four games, Wisconsin has only managed to score three times.
The Badgers need someone to step up and get the offense cooking if they hope to stick with UND in either game. Freshman Adam Rockwood could be that spark for the Badgers offense, netting a goal and two assists in UW’s scrimmage against St. Norbert College on October 25th.
On the defensive side of the puck, the badgers will likely look to Joel Rumpel who has started 3 of the 4 games in net for the Badgers. Rumpel, who has allowed 2.72 goals per game with a save percentage of .884, looks to clean up his game and minimize on costly mistakes. He will need to to be nothing short of spectacular if he expects to keep North Dakota off the scoreboard.
North Dakota, on the other side, is licking its chops at an inexperienced, youthful Badger squad. The dynamic duo of Drake Caggiula and Mark MacMillan aim to continue both of their hot starts into this weekend’s games
UW under Mike Eaves holds a 14-14-1 record when going up against UND under Mike Hakstol.
Prediction: The Badgers will fight hard and come close to stealing one away from North Dakota but ultimately UND will prove to be too much, sweeping the Badgers at the Kohl Center. 4-1 Friday, 2-3 Saturday.
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