Hockey is back at the Kohl Center as Wisconsin welcomes a non-conference opponent
Hockey returns to Madison this weekend when the Wisconsin Badgers kick off a six-game homestand with the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. This marks the second visit from a University of Alaska affiliate after Alaska Fairbanks was swept earlier this season.
No. 3 Wisconsin (13-3-2, 8-2 B1G) dropped one spot in the USCHO rankings after losing to No. 6 Western Michigan in the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off championship. There was some rust present following the long break, but the Badgers led early in the game before a hotly contested goal gave the Broncos momentum.
Goaltender Eli Pulver made a save but failed to completely secure the puck, allowing a scrum to ensue near the net. Amidst the pushing, a Bronco player fell into Pulver and pushed him further from the net. The initial contact may have been the result of Wisconsin protecting the net, but it appeared there was no rush to get off Pulver to let him back into the play. A goal was eventually awarded when a Western Michigan player used his stick to push a Badger play into the net with the puck lodged underneath. It was an odd play all around, and the goal stood after a lengthy review.
The Badgers were not without their chances. Christian Fitzgerald emerged on a breakaway and made a great move to get to his forehand, but Western Michigan goaltender Hampton Slukynsky did a full split and stretched what looked to be the length of the crease to pin his skate against the post to slam the door. Wisconsin also caught a heavy post partway into the third period when they had a chance to tie the game, ultimately losing 4-1.
It’s also worth noting that the Badgers were without a few of their top players, Logan Hensler, Luke Osburn, and Quinn Finley. Hensler and Osburn were in Minneapolis playing with Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championships. Finley traveled to Switzerland to play with the U.S. Collegiate Selects at the Spengler Cup, an annual invite-only tournament since 1923. This was the first Spengler Cup with an assortment of collegiate all-stars. The U.S. Collegiate Selects ultimately fell to the host team, HC Davos, in the final. Finley posted three goals and two assists in four games.
As for NCAA hockey, Michigan remains the top-ranked team, with Michigan State jumping Wisconsin this week. The Badgers still lead the Big Ten and will square off with the Spartans next week. But first, a little non-conference action with the Seawolves.
Alaska Anchorage (3-13 overall) is not having the best year. Their three official wins have come against Stonehill College, Bentley University, and, somehow, No. 7 Denver. The Seawolves have not won a non-exhibition game since November 18.
It is a series that, on paper, Wisconsin should have no trouble sweeping. Reality doesn’t always mirror what the paper says, and the Badgers just struggled with Lake Superior State to open the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off. They had a three-week layoff heading into that game, and now a two-week break before this upcoming series.
Wisconsin has played only two games over the last month and change, making Alaska Anchorage the perfect return series before Big Ten play resumes with Michigan State, Penn State, and Minnesota. Things are about to heat up in the Big Ten, home of the top three teams in college hockey and plenty of depth behind them. It’s important that Wisconsin gets back up to speed fast against Alaska Anchorage and gets out healthy. A hectic sprint toward the finish is about to be upon us, and it will be all hands on deck.
Game Info
Date: January 9-10
Time: Friday – 7:00 p.m. | Saturday – 5:00 p.m.
Place: Madison, WI | Kohl Center
TV: B1G+ | Radio: 1310 WIBA/1070 The Game
Category: General Sports
