With a select few already getting a taste of the WCHA play last weekend, Wisconsin’s first flavor of conference action looms upon the horizon. Head coach Mike Eaves refrained a motto for his team as each week of the non-conference schedule passed by: “Control the things you can control.”

Given the recent dominance shown nationally by Wisconsin’s foes in the WCHA conference the past few years and a UW schedule that possesses 19 regular-season games against ranked opponents, that is about all one can hope to do.

Just one year ago, the WCHA saw Denver, Minnesota and St. Cloud State jockey amongst themselves for the top three spots in the nation, while Colorado College hovered around the No. 6 spot throughout the season. Not a lot has changed in the past year.

In the early going this season, the NCAA’s top ten does not appear much different, with Denver and Minnesota tied for the No. 2 spot in the nation, while Colorado College is tabbed 8th. UW received votes in the latest poll but failed to amass any significant quantity that would vault them into the top 15.

SCSU, CC and Minnesota all took the ice last weekend reminding everyone just how difficult the WCHA will be in games eerily reminiscent of a season ago. In the 2001-2002 season, close contests were a staple, with games ending by a goal or fewer 91 times.

During the opening weekend of the WCHA, all six games were decided by a goal or fewer, with overtime being a requirement of all six games played. The three nationally ranked squads came out victorious in one game and concluded the other in a draw.

Rankings aside, Eaves is not concerned with what other teams bring to the table but rather what UW is able to do as a team.

Eaves recently implemented the use of videotape as a means of teaching but “uses it judicially and smartly,” because a coach can lose his kids while trying to teach.

“You mostly talk about your group of people; what we need to do,” said Eaves, who makes his first appearance in the WCHA after a 24-year absence. “Because that is something you can control, but you’d be silly not to look at film.”

Injury Update:

UW defensemen and roommates Dan Boeser and Jon Krall have not faired well concerning the injury bug early on this year. Krall, the most recent victim, suffered an injured left foot during last Friday’s meeting with Boston College. Hit in the second period by a shot, Krall was able to compete in the remainder of the game but sat with crutches Saturday night.

“The x-rays were negative,” said head coach Mike Eaves of Krall, who is listed as day-to-day. “It could be a bruise, possibly with some ligament damage.”

Boeser’s left hand ails from three fractured bones, sidelining the junior for a minimum of a month. Boeser sustained the injury during the Alabama-Huntsville series.

Eaves Honored:

The U.S. Olympic Committee, who named UW head hockey coach Mike Eaves the 2002 development coach of the year, honored him last week for his work with the USA Hockey program. Eaves, who began his coaching career after his NHL career was cut short by concussions, is only the third coach to receive the award and the first in five years.

Eaves was also named USA Hockey’s coach of the year earlier this fall.

Teammates to Opposition:

This weekend marks a reunion, of sorts, for two UW players from the 1977 National Championship team. Instead of taking to the ice, the pair will take to their respective benches. UW head coach Mike Eaves, a Denver native, faces former teammate and now Denver head coach George Gwozdecky this weekend in both teams’ WCHA opening-series. Troy Ward, a current UW assistant coach, was also behind enemy lines, aiding Denver from 1990-93.