The Matchup: RV Wisconsin vs. No. 14 Minnesota-Duluth
When: Friday Oct. 26th and Saturday Oct. 27th, 7pm Central
Where: AMSOIL Arena (6.783)
Ice Sheet: 200 x 85'
TV: None
Video Stream: AmericaOneSports.com (pay)
Radio: Friday – WIBA (1310 AM), Saturday – WTSO (1070 AM)
All-Time Series: Wisconsin leads 88-61-14
Last Meeting: UMD 4, Wisconsin 2
Wisconsin tied up the No. 1 team in the nation on Dec. 9th at the Kohl Center, but lost the next night 4-2 to the defending national champions at the time. It was the only series between the two schools last season and Wisconsin makes a trip north to Duluth where they are 37-35-8 all-time against the Bulldogs.
…more after the jump…
About the Bulldogs:
Record: 2-2-0 (0-0-0 WCHA)
Head Coach: Scott Sandelin (13th season, 219-212-58)
Notable: Only one Wisconsin born player is on the Bulldogs roster and that is junior Tim Smith from Duluth's neighbor, Superior, WI.
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Mike Seidel – 6pts. (3 goals, 3 assists)
Goals: Mike Seidel – 3 goals
Assists: Caleb Herbert – 4 assists
Save Pct: Matt McNeeley – .967
GAA: Matt McNeeley – 1.00
About the Badgers:
Record: 0-2-0 (0-0-0)
Head Coach: Mike Eaves (11th season, 209-158-44)
Notable: The last time the Badgers went winless in their opening series of the season was the 2009-10 season, the result? An NCAA Championship.
Statistical Leaders:
Points: Mark Zengerle – 2 points
Goals: 3 tied at 1 goal (Zengerle, Mersch, Simonelli)
Assists: 4 tied at 1 assist (Zengerle, LaBate, Lee, Meuer)
Save Pct: Joel Rumpel – .905
GAA: Joel Rumpel – 2.03
Both teams have faced only CCHA foes so far this season, with the Badgers facing Northern Michigan and losing both, while the Bulldogs faced Ohio State and Notre Dame out of the conference and split both series'. Ohio State was at home and Notre Dame on the road.
Wisconsin led in both of their games against Northern Michigan in their lone series to date and simply couldn't put the games away in the 3rd period. It will be important in this one to watch and see if Wisconsin can finish a game off. They've managed to get off just 20 shots per game while allowing opponents 26 shots and the biggest difference has come in the 3rd and final period where Wisconsin managed just 5 total shots on goal. That needs to change and if it does Wisconsin could find itself putting games away easily.
The Badgers got some great news as prized recruit Nic Keredils' once season long NCAA suspension was reduced to 11 games and while not eligible for this series could prove to be a lift for this team knowing he'll be available at the end of next month.
One area to really watch for is special teams as UMD has only allowed opponents to go 3 of 25 on power play opportunities and Wisconsin is 1-5 on their opportunities. If Wisconsin wants to take a game in this series they need to force penalties on the Bulldogs and capitalize on those chances, something they are more than capable of.
Prediction: Split series (3-1 UMD on Friday, 4-2 Badgers on Saturday)
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