The Wildcats weekend series in Madison, Wisconsin will not only serve as a test against one of college hockey’s most prestigious programs, but it will also serve as a homecoming for three UNH players.
Blake Kessel, Mike Sislso and Scott Pavelski all hail from the Badger State and look to sweep the series over the 19th ranked team.
“It’s going to be exciting,” said Kessel, a Madison native. “This is a series I’ve been looking forward to since I came here.”
The weekend matchup features the hard-nosed Wisconsin defense against a group of UNH forwards that top-ranked Miami (OH)’s head coach Enrico Blasi called “one of the best in the nation,” after Miami’s two-game series in Durham two weeks ago.
The Badgers return most of the core defense that led Wisconsin to an 18-12-2 record in its last 32 games. But it’s the back part of the defense that could be the team’s Achilles heel.
Wisconsin lost goalie Shane Connelly and in to take his spot is a committee of netminders, led by juniors Scott Gudmandson and BU transfer Brett Bennett.
The goalies have been helped by the solid defense in front of them, and have done a nice job, allowing just 1.75 goals per game.
The Badgers have extraordinary depth on both sides of the puck, specifically on the defensive side, and returns juniors Cody Golubef, Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith and sophomore Jake Gardiner, all of whom recorded at least 10 points last season.
On the offensive end, Wisconsin features a well-balanced offense, led by the teams leading goal scorer Blake Geoffrion, who has lit the lamp three times.
That group will take on a defensive group that struggled through the first three games, but appeared to play better in last weekend’s wins over Northeastern and Maine, blocking multiple shots and intercepting numerous passes.
“We’re going to need to be able to play well defensively this weekend,” said UNH head coach Dick Umile. “That’s something we’re going to be talking about every week. I think we did a good job on defense for five periods last weekend.”
The Wildcats doubled up Northeastern last Friday, 4-2, before taking down rival Maine, 5-2. The third period in Saturday’s game against the Black Bears, however, was dominated by the rival to the north.
The Wildcats offense played well, with the first line dominating Friday’s game and the second line putting the puck in the net three times Saturday.
“This will be another good challenge for us,” Umile said. “We’re looking forward to it. They are a highly skilled team. They’re quick and play aggressive. [They’re] a team that’s up there with Miami in terms of skill level.”
The team flew out of Boston yesterday morning and was set to eat dinner at the Kessel household last night.
“It’s exciting. I consider myself a Madison kid,” said Kessel.
The Wildcats will look to continue momentum next weekend, as the 12th-ranked Boston College Eagles come to town for a Hockey East showdown November 6.
“We’re going to need to be able to play well defensively against teams like Wisconsin and Miami if we’re going to compete in the Hockey East,” said Umile.
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