[media-credit name=’GREG SCHMITZ/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]In last year's postseason, the Wisconsin men's hockey team got goals from just three players: Joe Pavelski scored five, Adam Burish had four and Robbie Earl found the back of the net three times in five postseason games between the WCHA playoffs and NCAA tournament.

The Badgers found that the outcome when only their top line scored wasn't pretty. They went 2-3 in the final weeks of the season and quickly bowed out to Michigan in the first round of NCAA action.

That was then, this is now.

In four postseason games so far this year, eight Badgers have scored. Not surprisingly, Earl and Pavelski have led the way, accounting for five of UW's 13 goals.

But the supporting cast has paved the way to success — a 3-1 postseason record heading into an NCAA first round matchup with Bemidji State this Saturday. Senior A.J. Degenhardt, juniors Andy Brandt, Ross Carlson and Joudrey, and sophomore Matt Ford have all scored one goal for the Badgers, while freshman Jack Skille has tallied twice.

"It's a blessing, that's for sure," UW head coach Mike Eaves said. "When we have balanced scoring, it certainly is an advantage of the team that wins."

Ironically, Brandt — who had been scoreless in his previous 76 games in a Badger uniform — finally got his second career goal in Wisconsin's loss last weekend to North Dakota.

Nonetheless, the statistics bode well for UW as it begins its quest to win the national title without leaving the state of Wisconsin.

There is no doubt that Pavelski and Earl put more pressure on themselves this time of year.

Pavelski, who leads the team in scoring, became the first player since Dany Heatley to notch 50 points in a single season last weekend. Unfortunately for him, one game later he finished without at least one point for the first time in 13 contests.

"You just hear it from the media more than anything," Pavelski said. "I didn't even know I had one going until the 10th game (in a row). You just go out everyday and pride yourself on being good. When you're good everyday, you get a few points."

And Earl, who paces the squad with 21 goals, is just four points shy of reaching the 50-point mark this year.

At this point in the year, where one loss would bring an end to their season, the Badgers' leading scorers are definitely feeling a little bit of pressure.

"It's crunch time. We're going to come in and be productive day in and day out," Pavelski said. "When you lose, you're done."

However, that pressure has been eased quite a bit compared to last year.

"I think, for us to be successful, it's going to have to be a full team success," Earl said. "We have to be able to rely on our other teammates."

That's exactly what they have done the past two weekends.

Instead of relying on just three goal-scorers throughout the playoffs and tournament, the Badgers are consistently rolling through all four of their lines. The members of those supporting lines, which are usually known for being role-players, not only are playing those roles but are using their same style to manufacture goals.

"That's awesome. We've got a better balance going into the playoffs now, and that's what you need," Pavelski said. "Any team that's going to win the championship is going to need some balance, and it's showing."

"I think we're at our best when we are playing four lines and we are all rolling through," Degenhardt said. "I think we wear teams out that way, and if everybody's clicking, we're a hard team to keep up with. The more we can get guys in there, the better off we are."

This past weekend was a perfect example. Three of UW's four lines scored in the 4-0 shutout over Minnesota, and Brandt picked up a goal for the fourth line in the loss to the Sioux. It was the second time in this postseason the Badgers' fourth line — at least as it appears on the lineup sheet — scored.

But the X-factor down the stretch might be UW freshman winger Jack Skille. The Madison native came on strong down the stretch and already has multiple goals in the past four games. He also has four goals since the team last played in Green Bay six weeks ago.

"He's been playing amazing. He's really stepping into his own," Earl said. "He's a player who can play a big factor in our success."

Playing all four lines consistently and wearing down the opponent will be particularly important this weekend when the Badgers face a Bemidji State team, which boasts a lineup of small, quick players.

"Their forwards are quick and small," Eaves said. "They're most talented players are probably five-eight, five-nine, 165-185 pounds. They can get after you with their speed and quickness."

Of course, the fourth-year head coach hopes that most of the talk we'll be about his players — and a variety of them.

There is no doubt that the postseason success thus far is partially due to the play of junior goalie Brian Elliott, there is no arguing with scoring depth. As long as Badger fans keep hearing names like Brandt, Degenhardt and Carlson being announced as goal-scorers, Wisconsin should continue to prosper.