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Johnson notches 1st goal

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Also by Kevin Hagstrom:

Smaller ice awaits Badgers (February 8, 2008)
Badgers still in 4th-place tie with Bulldogs (February 4, 2008)
Gophers, Smith right fit (February 1, 2008)
Connelly, defense settling in (January 31, 2008)
Scoring options come from surprising sources (January 28, 2008)

by Kevin Hagstrom

Monday, February 11, 2008

HOUGHTON, Mich. — It’s difficult to discern which was bigger: Craig Johnson’s third period goal or his smile during the postgame interviews over his improbable success.

The goal, the first of Johnson’s collegiate career in his 13th game, gave Wisconsin a 3-1 lead against Michigan Tech in the series finale and helped secure two more crucial points in the WCHA standings.

“It was a big goal; it took a lot of pressure off of us,” said UW head coach Mike Eaves, whose team remains tied for fourth in the conference standings with 22 points.

The “snipe,” as the bench referenced it, occurred 5:40 into the final frame. Michigan Tech’s defense broke down for just an instant, but that was plenty of time for the freshman defenseman. He took a pass from Sean Dolan just behind the dot in the left faceoff circle and buried the puck blockerside high.

“It felt good… to get that stress off of me,” Johnson said.

In almost slow motion, Johnson threw up his hands in triumph. Simultaneously, the bench went wild and his best friend and older brother Carl, who made the trip up to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to watch Johnson play, pounded on the glass in a congratulatory ruckus.

“Everyone just gave me some love, and it was awesome,” Johnson said of his teammates’ reception on the bench.

“Everyone was just so happy for him,” Dolan said.

By the looks of Johnson’s gaping grin following Wisconsin’s 4-1 win, he was right there with his teammates; his first goal will forever be etched into his memory. And he has the hardware to go with it — Johnson was given the game puck for his performance, as well as the puck he scored.

After all, his notch Saturday is the embodiment of just how far Johnson has come as a player.

Not until Dec. 28 did Johnson first appear in a game for the Badgers. As the team’s seventh defenseman, he dressed only because sophomore Jaime McBain left to play for the U.S. World Junior team. After four games, McBain returned. So did Johnson — to the bench.

A game later, however, Johnson’s fortunes turned. Freshman Brendan Smith injured his back during the Denver series, propelling Johnson back into the lineup. He has patrolled the ice with fellow freshman Cody Goloubef — who scored the second goal of his career Saturday night — on Eaves’ third line ever since.

Having not played at the college level before, let alone at a conference as tough as the WCHA, Johnson needed time to adjust. So his number wasn’t called much in key game situations, namely the third period.

That changed during the Michigan Tech series. According to Eaves, Johnson played with enough conviction on the ice to warrant an increase in playing time despite having suited up for just a handful of series. That fact impressed his teammates, who believe the Waupaca native might be the most improved this season.

“He’s come so far already compared to when he first got here in the way he handles the puck and his confidence,” Dolan said.

First, it was Johnson logging big minutes in overtime and the third period of Friday night’s 1-1 tie. Then it was Johnson not only making the back checks to prevent Huskies players from getting good looks at UW goaltender Shane Connelly, but also getting into the offensive zone and contributing with a score.

“I talked with coach [Mark Osiecki] after the game, and he said that both Johnson and Goloubef played well the entire game, and when they do that, you have confidence to put them out there in key situations,” Eaves said.

Johnson’s doing it by playing to his strengths — keeping it simple — and knowing what to expect and what can be expected of him from game to game.

Now with a tally under his belt, Johnson is oozing with confidence, and his smile couldn’t be wider.

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