As Big Ten play continues, the tests only get tougher for the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers. They’ll put their unbeaten streak on the line this weekend in the hostile confines of Yost Ice Arena when they take on the No. 2 Michigan Wolverines, whose only loss this year came in a split against No. 4 Western Michigan.
Heading into Ann Arbor is never easy, but it’s especially difficult when Michigan (9-1, 2-0 B1G) is running roughshod on everybody in its path. Both the road environment and the talent on the other
side of the ice will be unlike anything the Badgers have faced to this point.
Wisconsin (6-0-2, 2-0 B1G) has benefited from some home cooking this year, playing its two biggest series against Minnesota State and Minnesota at the Kohl Center. This will be their first time stepping away from home ice since sweeping the season opener against Lindenwood. Safe to say this is a big step up as far as road tests are concerned.
With the race for the Big Ten underway, the Badgers actually hold a slight lead over Michigan heading into the series. Wisconsin took all six points available in its sweep over Minnesota last week, while Michigan needed overtime to knock off Notre Dame in its second game to claim five of the six possible points. A regulation win in either game of the series will ensure Wisconsin keeps its nose out in front of Michigan when the weekend is complete.
Both the Badgers and Wolverines play a similar brand of hockey, predicated on quick transitions, playing stout defense, and converting with the man advantage. Michigan is averaging 5.30 goals per game, good for third in the country; however, the two teams above them, Dartmouth and Princeton, have only played two games each. Wisconsin comes in ranked ninth, averaging just under four goals per game.
Wisconsin’s calling card this season has been its ability to stifle its opponents offensively, which happens to also be one of Michigan’s strengths. The Badgers lead the NCAA in scoring defense, surrendering just 1.38 goals per game on the back of freshman Daniel Hauser’s hot start between the pipes. Michigan, which has played a tougher early schedule, is sixth in the country with just 1.60 goals given up per game.
And then you get to the power play, where both teams excel. The Wolverines pace the NCAA, converting at a remarkable clip of just over 40 percent. Wisconsin, meanwhile, is third and converts nearly 35 percent of the time.
Michigan is led by an impressive duo of sophomore forwards, Michael Hage and Will Horcoff, the latter of whom loves doing damage on the power play. Horcoff leads the NCAA with six of his 10 goals this season coming on the power play. To his credit, Hage has four power-play goals of his own to go along with five even-strength goals.
The success of Wisconsin netminder Daniel Hauser has been well-documented over the last few weeks, but Michigan deploys an exceptional freshman of their own between the pipes. Like Hauser, Jack Ivankovic has started every game for the Wolverines, allowing just 1.50 goals per game with a .934 save percentage.
Ivankovic is flanked by a flurry of solid defensemen, but two stand out in particular: junior Ben Robertson and sophomore Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen. Robertson likes to start the transition offense and help stir the drink, with all 11 points this season coming by way of assist. Rhéaume-Mullen gets a bit more involved in the offense, especially on the power play, but both are extremely gifted defenders who rarely get fooled or find themselves out of position. They also don’t mind putting their bodies on the line for the team, with Robertson blocking 16 shots and Rhéaume-Mullen blocking 18 shots so far.
Suffice to say, scoring on Michigan is tough, but that’s to be expected when dealing with one of the best teams in the country. Wisconsin will have a chance to put its new, high-powered offense to the test. The Badgers are one of five teams in men’s college hockey to have four different players with four or more goals to this point, including Christian Fitzgerald (6), Quinn Finley (5), Simon Tassy (4), and Blake Montgomery (4).
Speaking of Montgomery, The Microwave was named the Big Ten First Star of the Week following his three-goal series against Minnesota. He’s burst onto the scene over the last two weeks and would love to continue that production in Ann Arbor. Based on what we’ve seen, Wisconsin could have a superstar goal scorer on their hands with the right development.
This trip to Ann Arbor is going to be like looking in the mirror for the Badgers. It’s not crazy to say that Michigan, with some of its sustained success and the makeup of this year’s team, is the type of blueprint this Wisconsin team is looking to follow. They realistically do everything the Badgers are trying to do, just with more national success and recognition. Going into Yost and getting a good result or two would help put the Big Ten on notice, sending a message that the Badgers are ready to crash the party again this year.
The action gets underway Friday night at 6 p.m., streaming on B1G+. Saturday’s game will air on the Big Ten Network starting at 7 p.m.
Game Info
Date: November 7-8
Time: Friday – 6:00 p.m. | Saturday – 7:00 p.m.
Place: Ann Arbor, MI | Yost Ice Arena
TV: B1G+/BTN | Radio: 1070 AM
