Even a state-of-the art arena with extravagant amenities isn’t enough for the Wisconsin men’s hockey team to look forward to a weekend in Grand Forks.
After a disappointing split last week at home against Wayne State, the Badgers travel to the new Ralph Engerstad Arena this weekend to take on a perennial WCHA power, the North Dakota Fighting Sioux. UND (3-2, 2-0 WCHA) holds an undefeated record in conference play this season, with both wins coming in a sweep of conference preseason favorite Colorado College.
However, Wisconsin expects the new venue to play in their favor. The Badgers (1-1, 0-0 WCHA) are hoping to capitalize on the smaller NHL-size rink, in an effort to take advantage of their size and other physical capabilities. A bigger building will also make the crowd noise slightly less deafening and will make sounds of the fans’ taunts a little further away. And in what promises to be a test for Wisconsin, any of these details could make a significant impact on the outcome of the game.
“It’s going to be a lot flashier and bigger,” UW captain Andy Wheeler said. “But it’s hard for them to get that atmosphere back.”
Last year, the Badgers considered the series at North Dakota a success after escaping Grand Forks with a pair of ties. This year, Wisconsin head coach Jeff Sauer’s level of satisfaction might be achieved with a performance that falls below that standard. Sauer’s focus seems not to dwell entirely on his team’s win-loss record this weekend, but instead on a more broadly defined mid-season achievement.
“If [the team] can be a couple of games above .500, or around .500 at Christmas time, we are going to be in good shape,” Sauer said.
The Sioux are a formidable opponent. UND has captured the last three WCHA regular-season titles, including an NCAA championship in 2000. North Dakota returns 16 players from a year ago, including goalie Andy Kollar. Kollar had enjoyed remarkable success thus far this year until he gave up four goals in the first period in UND’s 5-1 loss to Maine last Saturday. Regardless, Kollar should present a stiff challenge for the Badgers’ offense.
If North Dakota has any weakness, it may be in their depth. The Sioux use only two lines and rotate just three defensemen. In sharp contrast, the Badgers use four different lines, all of which could see extensive playing time. This might allow the Badgers to simply outlast their smaller counterparts.
“We have to go out and set the tone early,” UW captain Andy Wheeler said. “We’re a big team. We have some big boys in that locker room. [North Dakota] should be pretty worn down [by Saturday] if they keep playing that low number.”
The biggest issue for the Badgers and one that looks to remain for at least the near future is the goaltending situation. Wisconsin goalie Scott Kabotoff got shellacked last Friday in UW’s 5-4 loss in their season opener. Kabotoff was replaced Saturday with freshman goaltender Bernd Bruckler, who proceeded to shut out Wayne State 5-0 (25 saves) in his collegiate debut.
Yet, in spite of Bruckler’s impressive performance, Sauer insists both will be given an equal opportunity this weekend to permanently claim goaltending duty.
“I don’t think you can read either way,” Sauer said, adding that the team as a whole didn’t play equally well both nights. “That’s why they’re both going to play this weekend. Scott [Kabotoff] will play Friday and Bernd [Bruckler] will play Saturday.”
In the case that North Dakota does prove to be too tough a foe, the weekend will not be a waste. Wisconsin will get an opportunity to test its worth against a premier team in a premier facility.
And if the Badgers should fail in their quest to overcome a top-notch opponent, that facility and its subsequent amenities might be of some concession to Wisconsin.
“I am looking forward to the hot tub,” Sauer conceded.
