Teammates are said to grow on each other as a season progresses and as they become more familiar with styles of play. Certainly that has contributed to the Wisconsin men's hockey team's recent revival, but another type of growth has made all the difference.
Just when the season seemed nothing more than a lost cause, the Wisconsin men's hockey team runs off a four-game unbeaten streak. The Badgers displayed their best hockey of the season, looking like a top-ranked team in this past weekend's series against the Huskies of St. Cloud State. Capturing three of four points against the No. 4 team in the country is impressive in its own right, but the way in which UW did it was almost ethereal. Dominating all facets of the game and keeping a potent offense in check Friday, then coming back from numerous penalties and two goal deficits to skate to a 2-2 tie Saturday, shows this team's stock is on the rise.
To understand the team's recent success, look no further than this year's face of the Badgers, Brian Elliott. No, he isn't the sole reason why the team turned its season around, although the senior goaltender has given up just four goals in the past four games and boasts a .955 save percentage over that stretch. What I'm referring to is his face. More importantly, what's growing on it.
That's right, Elliott's beard and the whiskers sprouting on the rest of his teammate's faces are the reason why Wisconsin is back in the top 20 of the Pairwise rankings and is two points out of fifth place in the WCHA — a spot much coveted in terms of postseason play as the team that places there gets home ice in the first round.
Last week, assistant captains Jeff Likens and Jake Dowell went up to head coach Mike Eaves sporting scruff. Under Wisconsin's team code of conduct, facial hair is prohibited during the regular season. Likens and Dowell persuaded their coach to allow it after explaining the tradition meant for postseason play corresponds to what the team is trying to accomplish now. For them, the playoffs and the "lose-or-go-home" mentality that accompanies them has already begun.
Beards on Likens and Dowell look all right. At least the two seniors' facial hair looks uniform throughout. On the other hand, witnessing Jack Skille's or Michael Davies' feeble attempt at something that looks more like tufts of hair on a battered, scarred hyena can be pretty miserable. Yet no matter the quantity or quality of the facial hair, the fact the Wisconsin hockey team is putting theirs on display set a once written-off season back on the drawing board.
There's no question that when the going gets tough, the tough let their facial hair grow out. Those who don't suffer the consequences.
Take a look at Marty Schottenheimer. He led the San Diego Chargers to a 14-2 record and still got the boot. Why, you ask? Because sir beardless himself has never let his playoff face appear. No wonder why his success in January is an oxymoron.
This past year's Cy Young Award winners, Johan Santana and Brandon Webb, both sported the prickly chins to match their trim numbers. Until this year, clean-shaven Peyton Manning didn't have a Super Bowl ring to match his regular season numbers. However, with the help of fuzzy-faced Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai, as well as the coaching by 'stashed Tony Dungy, Manning plucked apart the Bears "D" to pull through. Moreover, the past eight NBA Finals MVP's (four different players) all had facial hair. And arguably the NBA's best all-time coach, Phil Jackson, dons his gray whiskers come playoff time.
Outside of the sports world is no different. While he may no longer be Hollywood's heartthrob, his co-stars can't seem to deny his allure. Colin Farrell sprouts hair on his chin seconds after shaving it, and his eyebrows could certainly use a plucking, no less. While that may seem unattractive, it's the real reason behind his success as this bestial man picks up women like Rasheed Wallace picks up technical fouls. Johnny Depp and Grey's Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey too sport scruff and stubble, respectively.
I'm telling you guys, if your game is lacking, or if you just can't seem to break through to the next level, grow up and grow out.
Todd Helton saw the light. After two miserable seasons by his standards and his $15 million dent in the Rockies' payroll, Helton came into camp with a thick goatee. Never has Helton been to the playoffs, but maybe his fresh look, or unkempt as it were, will carry his team to new levels and reinvigorate his game — or get him a trade to the Red Sox.
It's time to start midterms this week, and to prepare, I too will be growing into my focused face. I know I want to win like the hockey team when it comes down to it.
Don't you?
Kevin is a junior double majoring in journalism and economics. If you or someone around you is struggling to grow a sufficient midterm beard, he can be reached to empathize with your troubles at [email protected].
