Coming off a late-season bye week is not the easiest thing in hockey, but it can be beneficial.

At his Monday press conference, Wisconsin men’s hockey head coach Mike Eaves acknowledged that the health and overall morale of his team improved, thanks to last week’s snow day in conjunction with a week free of games.

“Bye week is always an interesting week in the middle of a season because you’re trying to judge where your team is and what they need,” Eaves said. “This time in the season, probably less is more.”

During the bye, the Badgers held a skills competition Wednesday that included a breakaway trick-shot shootout, speed race and strength of shot and shot accuracy contests. The snow day competition provided the Badgers with some fun, but during practice, it was all business. Eaves said that his team especially focused on toe-to-toe battles and skill work.

Furthermore, the bye week allowed the Badgers to focus on detail and physically recover.

“What we’re hoping we see this week is a little more bounce in their step, a little more health,” Eaves said. “There’s a lot of stuff going around in terms of colds and such, so hopefully it’ll benefit us that way in terms of going into this week, which leads us to Nebraska-Omaha.”

With big defensemen and smaller forwards, UNO is currently in fourth place and clinging to their two-point advantage over UW’s 24 points. Eaves said Nebraska is a typical head coach Dean Blais team with good skill and skating ability.

Eaves was also quick to respect the Mavericks’ leader.

“Dean is one of the real great coaches in college hockey,” Eaves said. “Everywhere he puts his footprint, they learn quickly how to win.”

With a record of 12-6-2, the Mavericks found early success, but the Badgers have been improving their game as of late.

In their last 13 games, the Badgers are 12-1 and are focusing on that run for the conference title. This season Wisconsin has the highest scoring sophomore class in the nation with 35 goals and 99 points. Surprisingly, their rookies are eighth in the nation with 76 points, but the seniors are having a low scoring season.

Coaches frequently allude to the experience seniors provide as essential, and, this season, goaltender Scott Gudmandson seems to have it.

Currently compiling one of the best seasons in UW history, Gudmandson has somehow managed to fly under the radar. His current 1.78 goals-against average ranks second on UW’s all-time single season list, and he now leads the country in both goals-against average and save percentage.

With a nationally ranked goaltender and a week of recovery, the Badgers appear ready for the Mavericks.

“Every coach at this university knows there’s no magic formula,” Eaves said. “You work hard first, you get players that are committed and you try to get some skill in there. Have them work together, and you’re going to have success.”