After losing their first two WCHA games of the season, it looked as if UW was following the same path as last year’s 13-23-4 team. However, Mike Eaves and the Badgers have not lost since and, after sweeping the College Hockey Showcase last weekend, they are currently riding a ten-game unbeaten streak. The streak (7-0-3) is the longest in the nation and the longest streak in UW history since a span of 13 unbeaten games (12-0-1) in the ’97-’98 season.
Heading into the season, Eaves set one of the team’s goals as receiving national recognition with the aide of a national ranking. After winning both games last weekend, the Badgers (8-3-3, 3-2-3 WCHA) have achieved that goal with a No. 4 ranking in the RPI system.
“I am pleased to see that, but we recognize that what really matters is at the end of the year,” Eaves said about the rankings. “[They’re] a signpost of where we’ve come as a team.”
Eaves, in his second season as UW’s head coach, says it’s the differences in coaching combined with talented players that have turned this season around. After last year’s disappointing season, Eaves recalls how his captains said they would make sure last year would not happen again. Along with a top-ranked freshman class coming in, many players stayed in Madison over the summer and practiced in a manner that made them a more cohesive team.
But even with a talented team, Eaves knows his team has made mistakes due to players’ lack of experience.
The difference this year for Eaves, however, is that stellar goaltending has covered up the young mistakes.
Junior Bernard Bruckler and freshman Brian Elliot have led the way from between the pipes. Bruckler has been solid all season and has played in all but two games. UW has allowed three goals or less in 12 of 14 matchups. In last weekend’s games against Michigan and Michigan State, the Badgers held the top two offenses in the CCHA to one goal apiece.
Elliot, in only his second game of the season, started against Michigan State and had a shutout posted until the third period before earning the win 2-1 in overtime.
Eaves credited Elliot’s effort. “He sure didn’t look like an 18-year-old freshman.”
Despite Elliot’s solid play in his two games, Eaves still believes Bruckler is his man.
“Bruckler is going to carry the weight, but we have no hesitation of putting Brian in.”
Another difference in this year’s team compared to last season is their ability to win close games. Last season, UW had 17 games decided by one goal or less. In those games, they went 7-6-4. Already this season the Badgers have had eight games decided by one goal or less and are 4-1-3.
“We are finding ways to win. Finding ways to hang around. Whether it’s our goaltender making a big save or having a big penalty kill at the right time,” Eaves said.
This was evident in the game against Michigan State when the Badgers did not play their best, but were able to come out with a win.
“If you are a good team, you need to win games you probably shouldn’t,” Eaves said.
Eaves thinks that his young team is starting to play better and gain confidence in what he refers to as a “virtuous circle.”
“You work hard, get confidence, you want to go back out and work hard again.”
This experience has shown, especially on the road. The Badgers are 5-2-0 away from home this season, already besting their 3-12-2-road record from last season.
Despite the Badgers’ fast start to the season, there will be many more obstacles to overcome.
Eaves thinks the second half of the season will tell if his team is ready to compete for a national title.
“If I was to pinpoint a series, I would say it would be the North Dakota series (Feb. 6-7). If we can go toe-to-toe with them and get points, that would be a huge measuring for us as a team,” Eaves said.
This weekend the Badgers will have a chance to extend the nation’s longest unbeaten streak in Colorado, where they will play a Denver team they have failed to beat in their previous eight games. The Pioneers are coached by George Gwozdecky, who was a four-year letter winner for the Badgers from 1973-1977 and played on Wisconsin’s 1977 national championship team alongside Eaves.
Eaves is looking forward to the reunion. “It will be more personal, but in a good way.”
After two ties against No. 6 Colorado College and a win over No. 5/6 Michigan, the No. 10 Denver Pioneers (9-4-1, 3-4-1 WCHA) will be the third-ranked opponent in as many weeks for the Badgers. With a chance to extend their unbeaten streak to 12 games, the Badgers have a lot on the line as they travel to the Mile High City.
