Will Davies play?

Yesterday, Todd at TCT had a piece about Michael Davies getting closer to returning to the lineup.

It's hardly a sure thing, but Michael Davies is at least getting closer to returning to the Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey lineup.

We usually use that kind of language when talking about an injured player; Davies is trying to earn his spot in the lineup again after falling out of favor.

But it is a little like a player returning from injury. Davies needs to show Mike Eaves and the UW coaching staff that he's willing to do what they have asked him to do -- contribute more to the team all over when he's on the ice.

"He's inching closer," Eaves said Tuesday. "That's probably the best way to put it. Today was a little look and see how he responded and how he looked."

I think Michael deserves a chance to get out there and see what he does back in the game setting. Sure he hasn't performed this season, but a six game layoff is far too long for someone who could potentially be one of our top scorers. Plus for those w/ season tickets on fridays, it is Michael's night on the ticket. Put him on the ice!

Here were the lines combos on tuesday:

Eaves said the line combinations the team used Tuesday -- it had an optional skate without coaches on Monday -- likely would change before Wednesday's practice. For the record, Blake Geoffrion was centering Jordy Murray and Derek Stepan; Andy Bohmbach was centering Tom Gorowsky and Davies; Sean Dolan was centering John Mitchell and Ben Grotting; Matt Thurber was centering Patrick Johnson and Chris Hickey; and Aaron Bendickson was centering Podge Turnbull and Tom Bardis.

In the past, the Showcase has been an opportunity for the backup goalie to get some action. In the last two seasons, both Shane Connelly (2006) and Scott Gudmandson (2007) started saturday night against Michigan State. While Goody played great against Tech earning the shutout (w/ some puck luck), we need to get to .500 and for the PWR rankings we need the wins. If Connelly plays well friday night, I want to see him in against Michigan, they are the better of the two teams we're facing this weekend, we need to bring our best.