SPORTS
Fridays give UW trouble
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Also by Stephen Watson:
- UW jumps back into WCHA mix (December 4, 2007)
- UW concludes fall slate at Big Tens (November 9, 2007)
- UW seniors Mehlhaff, DeBauche get final kicks in (November 8, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Johnson picks up play (January 29, 2008)
- Wiconsin 'hungry' for win versus Minnesota (January 25, 2008)
- Eaves gears up for closing weeks (February 17, 2004)
- Finally! Wisconsin breaks through with sweep (February 12, 2007)
- UW merciless in blowout victories over Mercyhurst (October 18, 2004)
by Stephen Watson
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Things just do not seem to go well for the Badgers on Friday nights. Some think it’s pregame jitters, while others believe it could be the young lineup. However, head coach Mike Eaves is confident in his team’s ability to come out strong during the first game of weekend series.
“I thought that what we have given them as far as a game plan and
everything was right on the mark,” Eaves said in his Monday press conference.
“Why they were on their heels is probably the result of them having to walk
through the fire.”
After 16 games, the team is 7-8-1 overall on Friday nights. In the past
three series they have yet to notch a win on opening night, adding to their
troubles of moving up from fourth overall in the WCHA conference standings.
Eaves stressed how each player is slowly improving his capabilities on
the ice to perform well every night.
“When you teach people, and you want them to learn a new skill, there are
certain words that will unlock the key for one individual that won’t for
another,” Eaves said. “We are talking about a group of 27 people, and we are
trying to unlock that key in terms of getting them to understand what is coming
up and what needs to be done.”
Even though the coaching staff has worked hard to tweak the miscues of
the talented squad, Eaves has realized the fate of the team lies with the
players.
“They have to walk through the fire. You cannot bypass that step in
order for them to learn,” Eaves said. “Now we’re at the point where we can’t
afford to have a Friday funk because we need those points.”
Connelly getting pulled
After allowing seven shots to strike the netting behind him this past
weekend in Minnesota, goalie Shane Connelly experienced a rarity — he was
pulled from the net. However, Eaves noted that most of the goals were deflected
or off of broken plays and that Connelly was not fully to blame for the
mishaps. Instead, Eaves decided to pull the junior to boost the confidence on
the offensive side of the puck.
“When we made the change
between the second and third period, I told Shane in front of his teammates
‘This is not about you. It’s about jumpstarting your teammates in front of you
to get going here,’” Eaves said.
After starting 31 games for the Badgers, Connelly has only been pulled
twice this season. The only other time occurred Nov. 17 when the Badgers faced then-No.
7 Colorado College. During his two periods played, Connelly allowed five goals
past him, and the Badgers ended up losing by a score of 6-1.
“He was disappointed about giving up four goals, but it was one of
those nights that you have to understand what is going on, and you have to let
it go and get ready for the next shot,” Eaves said.
Geoffrion stepping up as leader
As the postseason lingers in the minds of the players and Badger fans,
Eaves is elated to see the leadership in full effect with the young players.
“I think those personalities are coming out now,” Eaves said. “I think
some of our underclassmen are now recognizing what time of year it is and
realizing that it doesn’t matter if you are a freshman or sophomore. It’s about
stepping up and getting it done.”
With only four seniors on the team this year, a lot of the leadership
will fall into the hands of the underclassmen. One player in particular Eaves
pointed out was sophomore Blake Geoffrion.
“I think we saw that statement being made in the third period on Friday
night by Mr. Geoffrion,” Eaves said.
Despite losing the game, Eaves was more impressed by the “never-give
up” mentality in the forward’s mind.
“He stepped up in the first shift and made a statement with his
physical contact that drew a penalty that led to a goal that gave us a little
bit of a spark.”
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