On the more positive note, the hockey Badgers dismantled Denver today 6-2 to move into the Elite Eight. Davies almost got a hat trick. They play the North Dakota (girl's name) Sioux (racist mascot!) tomorrow at 6. ND also kicked their first round opponent, Princeton, all over the ice today.
If nothing else the win should silence anyone that was thinking the Badgers didn't belong in the tournament because of their losing record this year. The WCHA really was that good this year. We're talking the hockey version of this year's Big East basketball, only better.
My plan was to retire this profile and start using my new one after the Badgers' season ended. I did NOT think I was talking about the hockey team.
Fun memory (well, not for my friend or my other friend's mom): I was sitting right behind the end of the Badger's bench with my friend to my left. Another friend of mine's parents were sitting two rows behind me. Some 455hole who wouldn't stop wistling was next to them. As the final seconds were ticking off, the puck came flying straight towards us. I ducked and saw my friend freak out (total slow motion vision too). I thought that the puck had hit the side and then the back of the glass behind the bench because someone on the bench reached down to grab what I thought was the puck. But then I saw my friend was rubbing the side of his head. Turns out the puck hit my friend in the head (and when we split up after the game he had a pretty big lump that was still getting bigger), richoched off my other friend's mom's shoulder, and landed right in front of the 455hole. The unfairness of how that happened amazes me. Out of the entire section he was the guy who LEAST deserved a souvenir.
I don't really follow Badger hockey until the postseason, but I prefer to call it the Icy 8. Anyway, didn't think Hockey team would be playing after the basketball team, but heck i'll root for 'em. I don't think I can see the Regional Final vs. ND cuz its on ESPNU (U is for unavailable). About the Badgers getting a bid and a 3 seed nonetheless, I think they realized they could really sell tickets for the Badgers have one of NCAA hockey's biggest fanbases and that they host regionals. I think they were only given a bid for the $. Go Badgers!
Well, the season had it's growing pains, but it was a good one and the ending was a lot better than the basketball one.
I prefer to call it the Icy 8
I know, I had the same thought.
About the Badgers getting a bid and a 3 seed nonetheless, I think they realized they could really sell tickets for the Badgers have one of NCAA hockey's biggest fanbases and that they host regionals. I think they were only given a bid for the $.
Actually, the Badgers earned their spot in the tournament. The Pairwise isn't subjective. As far as the three seed goes, I think the seeding committee realized that it would be unfair to force ND to play the Badgers in the first round in Madison. And tonight showed why. Both teams won their first round game easily, and tonight's 3-2 overtime win by ND was a great game that they had to come back from down 2-0 to win.
To bad they gave up a 2 goal lead in the 3rd leading to that loss. I was going to try to scalp tickets if they made it to Denver. Or hope the alumni association offered me tickets.
What a brutal weekend to be a Badger fan. Start off with that gut wrenching loss to Davidson (no furniture in my living room was spared as I think that I kicked every chair and couch we own). Next night a very well played hockey game against Denver (fortunately I have ESPN360 on the computer so I could watch). Then last night I'm ecstatic as I watch the first two periods where they pepper Lamoureux and are able to squeeze in two goals (the first on one of the finest passes I've seen in quite a while). Then it all came crashing down like some bad dream as I sat stunned on my couch. This morning I feel like I have some kind of Cardinal and White hangover. I'm certainly not looking forward to having to hear about Davidson from my co-workers hopefully they'll be kind but I doubt it. Fortunately none of them is a hockey fan otherwise I would have to endure them picking at that still fresh wound as well.
Onto another topic for all of you with your ear to the rumblings in Madison - Any chance Turris comes back for another year?
I personally don't think that Kyle Turris will come back next year. He should stay though! He doesn't have the type of body that can play in the NHL. Mike Eaves needs to start getting players that are going to stay one than one year and then leave for the NHL! It seems like every year he will get the big name player and they are gone the next year! Looking forward to the football season! Go Badgers!
I actually think that the odds of Turris returning are pretty good. I'll admit that I'm completely blind as far as the Coyotes' needs go, but they also have the rights to Minnesota's center, who is more NHL-ready than Turris is.
Mike Eaves needs to start getting players that are going to stay one than one year and then leave for the NHL! It seems like every year he will get the big name player and they are gone the next year!
This isn't like basketball, where the players decide. There's nothing Eaves can do about players leaving early. And what about Patrick Johnson? He won't be leaving early, and he's a damn good player.
I actually think that the odds of Turris returning are pretty good. I'll admit that I'm completely blind as far as the Coyotes' needs go, but they also have the rights to Minnesota's center, who is more NHL-ready than Turris is.
Mike Eaves needs to start getting players that are going to stay one than one year and then leave for the NHL! It seems like every year he will get the big name player and they are gone the next year!
This isn't like basketball, where the players decide. There's nothing Eaves can do about players leaving early. And what about Patrick Johnson? He won't be leaving early, and he's a damn good player.
Hey guys, been out of town but it is interesting you bring this up. On my plane ride home on Saturday I sat right next to a scout fo the Carolina Hurricanes. He was coming to Madision to watch the regional games and was there specifically to scout McBain and Gobolef (sp?). Carolina owns the rights to both and scouts in that situation go to see if they are NHL "ready" or not. I spoke extensively to him about the Badgers as he keeps an eye on everyone even if Carolina does not own their rights and HIS opinion was that none of them are ready and HIS reccomendation would be that they should all (this included Turris) come back to college for another year. Unlike most D1 freshman, these guys are true freshman in age etc... So they still have alot of physical growth to go through. He said Turris WOULD play in the NHL and would be a good player BUT he was still too small and not strong enough to be called up this year, he had the same concern about McBain and Gobolef. So, while nothing is absolute, there is a good chance this team will remain intact for next year (even it's stars) as I had a pretty good authority advising me just this weekend
I don't think anyone actually knows how to spell it (it's Goloubef), and I sure don't know how too say it.
So, while nothing is absolute, there is a good chance this team will remain intact for next year (even it's stars)
I think this would be a good place to mention who the Badgers ARE losing. Davis Drewiske (captain, defenseman), Kyle Klubertanz (assistant cap, defenseman), and Josh Engel (defenseman) are all graduating. That's a lot of defense going out the door, as well as leadership. Drewiske was by far (in my non-hockey expertise) the best of the three in my opinion. I don't think there should be a big dropoff in the team's defense next year, in part because I think Connelly is a much better goalie than he is given credit for.
The youth of this team continues to amaze me. Next year there will only be five seniors on the team: Tom Gorowsky, Ben Street, Connelly, and two walk-on goalies.
Talent wise I agree Drewiske is a big loss on defense, Klubertanz was a leader in the lockerroom so that will be missed, IMO Engle is no big loss in either area. We have some pretty stellar frosh defensemen that will only be better next year and like you said Connelly is slightly underrated and will be alot better next year with a full year under his belt. If no one leaves early this team could be really really good. That scout I sat next too told me he thinks the Badgers were THE MOST talented team in all of D1 this year BUT that their talent was very young and not nearly physical enough, but that both of those things would likely turn around next year with a year of maturity. Next years team COULD be alot of fun for Badger hockey fans
Well that goes to show you even an NHL scout can be wrong on these things. When I think about it though, it does make sense. I mean this guy was a scout for Divison leading Carolina that has alot of talent and can be more "patient" in when they bring guys up. Phoenix is already eliminated from playoff contention and isn;t stock piled with talent, so bringing up a guy they HOPE will be "the guy" in the future does make SOME sense, as they cannot afford to be as patient. It is too bad though because as talented as he is, Kyle lacks upper body strength and has not developed the physical side of the game necessary at teh NHL level. Look how badly he was pushed around agains the more physical teams in D1 this year, it is only going ot be worse at the next level. Oh well, I wish him well, he is going to play for them on Thursday, I'd like to see that game and see how he does. I just pray he is the only one to leave, as we could still have a good shot next year with what is coming back and coming in.
