SPORTS
Mercyhurst 1st on docket for UW
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Also by Tom Ziemer:
- Much maligned UW defense rebounds to pitch shutout (September 12, 2005)
- Williams attracts 'special' attention in loss (October 10, 2005)
- Badgers run over in Happy Valley (November 7, 2005)
- Young UW defense steps to forefront in intra-squad contest (April 18, 2005)
- Williams making noise for UW's return team (September 13, 2005)
Related Stories:
- UW merciless in blowout victories over Mercyhurst (October 18, 2004)
- Special teams power Badger victory over Lakers (October 18, 2004)
- Wisconsin faces first WCHA opponent of '04 (October 22, 2004)
- UW adapts to change in officiating (October 19, 2004)
- Badgers play host to Beavers (October 15, 2004)
by Tom Ziemer
Friday, October 15, 2004
The No. 6 Wisconsin men's hockey team begins the third year of the Mike Eaves era tonight when they welcome Mercyhurst to the Kohl Center for the first matchup of a two game series.
Mercyhurst presents an interesting challenge for Wisconsin in its opening weekend. The Lakers hail from Atlantic Hockey and just began Division I play in the 2000-01 season. Since then, Mercyhurst has won the conference regular season title and made the NCAA Tournament twice. This year, the Lakers are picked as Atlantic Hockey champions once again. Still, unfamiliarity may be a problem for the Badgers.
"The thing that's scary about playing a team that's an unknown, they'll bite you right in the fanny pretty quick," head coach Mike Eaves said. "We'll talk about the fact that they are the best team in their conference. They play with confidence. They have a lot of pride. They come in and look at this building; it's a chance for them to knock off a pretty big school. So they'll be all fired up and we'll need to be ready for that."
Mercyhurst compiled a 20-14-2 overall record last season and return two 30 point scorers in senior forwards David Wrigley (18 goals and 18 assists) and Rich Hansen (12 goals and 24 assists). The Lakers also have shown the ability to upset quality teams on the road, beating Ohio State 3-2 a year ago, and will be eager to do the same to Wisconsin.
"Any team coming into this building, coming in to play Wisconsin is going to want to take their shot at us," Wisconsin captain Adam Burish said. "They're going to want to come in here and quiet this big crowd we've got going, get the students quiet, that's what teams are going to want to do. So it's going to be a battle, any team that comes in here is going to give us a good battle."
Mercyhurst also returns T.J. Kemp, last year's winner of Atlantic Hockey's best defenseman award. Kemp also presents a threat on offense, with 26 points in 2003-04. Despite Kemp's efforts, defense is a problem for the Lakers with an unsettled goaltending situation — both Andy Franck and Jordan Wakefield saw time in the net last season. While Franck recorded 14 wins, the Lakers gave up five or more goals 11 times during last season.
Defense is a potential question mark for the Badgers as well, with several freshmen sure to see plenty of ice time. The early returns have been good in practice, but the group as a whole still hasn't been in a game situation.
"During practice and everything, we've all got a feel for each other, and everybody's gelled pretty well during practice," sophomore defenseman Jeff Likens said. "During scrimmage, too, also everybody's with their partners. I'm with [Kyle] Klubertanz and [we've] gelled pretty well. And I know everything that matters happens in games, so we're all excited to see what happens, and I'm very confident in everybody."
This weekend provides Wisconsin with its only two games before WCHA play begins next weekend.
"It's a good test for us," Eaves said. "They're a good team, and we have to be ready for that. I don't think we can come out here and just say it's a preseason game. We've got to get ready to go right now. These are our only two dress rehearsals before the WCHA starts."
Getting off to a successful start in the season opener would allow the youthful Badgers to gain some momentum heading into the conference opener against Michigan Tech next Friday.
"You start off with a bad start, the team gets demoralized and everything," Likens said. "I know Coach Eaves talks about a great start to the beginnings of games, [it's] the same thing during a season though. If you have a great start during the season, it's just like moving a snowball down the hill, it just all goes from there."
After an off-season of training and practicing against each other, the Badgers are excited to finally see an actual opponent across the ice.
"We can't wait," Burish said. "We've been battling against each other all summer, we've been training hard all summer. We had a great summer, all the guys were here together, the freshmen were here early. We've been slamming on each other all summer and all preseason so we can't wait to get someone else in here."
