Last season, Chad Rau was a Badger killer. In four games against Wisconsin a year ago, the Colorado College forward scored five goals, including one short-handed tally in each game. Two of those five proved to be game-winners as CC took all four games from UW.
So it’s only natural that Rau, a senior from Eden Prairie, Minn., is the first Tiger talked about when outlining this weekend’s matchup at the Kohl Center between Wisconsin (12-9-3, 9-5-2 WCHA) and Colorado College (12-7-5, 8-6-2 WCHA).
“He’s got a knack for scoring. He’s always around the net,” said Wisconsin goaltender Shane Connelly, who allowed all five of Rau’s goals against the Badgers last season. “He’s got an incredible shot. He’s one of those complete players in this league. He knows how to score, he can give the puck to everyone else–just a finisher. We have to be conscious of him.”
Rau led CC in scoring as a junior last year with 28 goals and 14 assists and is again the top scorer for the Tigers with 11 goals and 17 assists. But by no means is Colorado College a one-man show.
Right behind Rau on the stat sheet is Eric Walsky, a transfer from Alaska-Anchorage, with 25 points. Bill Sweatt isn’t far behind with nine goals and eight assists, making the top two CC lines dangerous offensively.
“I know Chad Rau, I know Billy Sweatt,” said UW captain Blake Geoffrion, who played with Sweatt as part of the USA National Team Development Program. “Sweatty’s a pretty fast guy. … He can fly. I know Rau can skate pretty good, too.”
“He’s just a real good skater,” UW defenseman Ryan McDonagh said of Rau. “He’s really smart. He anticipates where the puck’s going. He can skate well and get there and pick off passes.”
Wisconsin is coming off a road sweep of Alaska-Anchorage after a disappointing sweep at home at the hands of Northern Michigan. While the Badgers feel they’re back on track after two big games against the Seawolves, the importance of this weekend’s series–which pits two teams separated by just two points in the WCHA standings–isn’t lost on any of the players.
“We need to start beating quality teams,” ?Wisconsin senior Tom Gorowsky said. “It’s a big test for us to kind of determine, ‘Where are we at with this team, and are we going to start making something special out of it?'”
