[media-credit name=’DEREK MONTGOMERY/Herald photo’ align=’alignnone’ width=’648′][/media-credit]A hit by University of Wisconsin senior captain Adam Burish in the waning seconds of Wisconsin's 3-0 win over Colorado College Saturday night has ended up taking something away from what was the premier matchup in college hockey last weekend.

Badger forward Robbie Earl picked the puck up along the boards looking to skate off the final few seconds of the game, with CC forward Scott Thauwald trailing behind him.

In what had already been a chippy game, Thauwald could have been looking to get one last hit on Earl, but never got the chance. Burish came in from Thauwald's right side and landed a shoulder on him, sending the junior hard into the boards.

It was not the strength of the hit, but the timing and severity — Thauwald was down on the ice for a few minutes — with which Colorado College took exception. It didn't take long for things to escalate in the post-game handshake line, and the teams were sent their separate ways.

"It was a bad hit. They need to take a look at it and review it, but I'm not going to say anything more than that," Tiger forward Brett Sterling said after the game. "It was a clean physical series up until that last play."

When all was said and done, Burish received a five-minute penalty for excessive roughness and a 10-minute disqualification. By rule, the team's captain will be forced to sit out this Saturday's game with Minnesota State.

"I guess all I want to say right now is I hope the kid's okay," Burish said. "I would never want to hurt anybody. I hope he's all right."

Unfortunately, the injury seems serious. Thauwald was playing in just his second game back after missing 30 straight games due to a season-ending knee injury last January. He was seen on crutches after the game.

But UW head coach Mike Eaves did not see anything wrong with the hit, and described the situation Monday after reviewing the hit on tape.

"Scott Thauwald is skating towards [Earl], Adam sees this — it's his linemate, one of our most talented players — and he goes over there … and he goes to shield Robbie Earl from a potential hit," Eaves said. "But right when he does that, Scotty Thauwald lets up, and does not see Mr. Burish, and as a result gets knocked down pretty easily and hard.

"Adam did not, in any form or fashion, go over there to run that young man," Eaves continued. "He was trying to shield his teammate. Unfortunately Scotty didn't brace himself — he let up. I knew exactly where Adam's mind was because I've seen it a thousand times in game before."

Badgers prepare for rare Saturday/Sunday series: Due to the schedule of the UW women's basketball team, the Badger men's hockey team will face a different schedule than usual this weekend when it takes on Minnesota State.

The basketball team hosts a Friday night game and a Sunday afternoon game, forcing Eaves' squad to play Saturday night at 7 p.m. and Sunday night at 8 p.m.

But while this change in scheduling may seem like a distraction or nuisance, Eaves actually said he is looking forward to a change from the norm.

"I quite enjoy the change," Eaves said. "I think it's absolutely good right now. I think it's a good change of pace. We're getting into the season and I think a little change of pace is good for the team."

The change will also have an effect on the following week leading into the College Hockey Showcase as Wisconsin heads to Michigan State and Michigan.

Badgers No. 2 in latest rankings: When the latest USCHO rankings came out Monday, Wisconsin jumped three spots in the polls to the No. 2 spot in the country. The Badgers also received seven of 40 first place votes.

Michigan, at 9-1-1, moved up one spot with a sweep of Northern Michigan and nabbed 27 first-place votes.

Despite heading back to Colorado Springs, Colo., with just one point this weekend, the Tigers dropped just two spots, falling in right behind the Badgers at No. 3. Somehow, Colorado College still managed to snag three first-place votes.

Things could get interesting next week if Wisconsin can take care of business against Minnesota State this weekend. With Michigan having next weekend off, if the rankings stand pat, the College Hockey Showcase would feature a battle between the country's top two teams.

Assuming Michigan holds on to the top spot, it will be the second year in a row that the Wolverines will be No. 1 in the country when facing off with the Badgers. UW got the best of them last year in a 3-1 win at the Kohl Center.

After taking three points from then-No. 1 Colorado College last weekend, Wisconsin is now 4-0-1 in its last five games against top-ranked teams. However, all five of those contests have taken place at home.