Weekend Review: Everybody Sweeps!

Both the Men and Women swept their opponents this week! Both are also in 1st place in the WCHA, though the Men do have several games in hand, but following the 0-6-1 start, it feels really good to say it.

"It's quite an accomplishment for this group from where we were," UW coach Mike Eaves said. "The thing that we as a staff are the proudest of is the fact they stayed together through tough times and persevered."

I don't have much to add for the Men's series, the beat Alaska Anchorage 3-2 on friday and 7-2 on saturday. Chuck did a nice job w/ the live blog. Nice weekend for the PP going 4-13 and the PK allowing 1 goal on 14 UAA PPs.

On friday night, UAA really came to play out of the gate. Wisconsin owned the 2nd period scoring all three goals, but didn't respond well in the 3rd following Blake Geoffion's injury. I was a little worried saturday night, but the team came to play and really took it to the Seawolves. Nice play all around on saturday, a little lazy late letting in those 2 late goals. Connelly played well all weekend, he's really heating up.

Some other top preformers for the weekend: Michael Davies had a great weekend w/ 2 goals and 2 assists. After calling Cody Goloubef out (in a positive way) last week for playing great w/ out the big numbers, he goes out and has two game winners. Jamie McBain continues to lead the team in scoring adding 3 assists. Finally, Derek Stepan continues to quitely play well on the ice w/ a goal and 3 assists.

Some reading:

Friday's game:
TCT (Milewski): Injuries, performance mar UW victory
Ice House: Game Day Post
WSJ (Baggot): More pain than pleasure in UW's 3-2 win
uwbadgers.com: Badgers beat out Seawolves 3-2

Saturday's game:
TCT (Milewski): UW closes first half with resounding victory
Ice House: Game Day post
WSJ (Baggot): Worst to first as UW atop WCHA
uwbadgers.com: UW takes first in WCHA with 7-2 win over UAA
Daily Cardinal: Wisconsin unbeaten in last five after home sweep
Badger Herald (Bleach): Despite captains’ injuries, Wisconsin stays on track
Badger Herald (Mason): UW sweeps UAA in weekend series

The Women's Hockey team remains unbeaten on the season as they head into break at 18-0-2. The Women beat St. Cloud 7-0 on friday and 6-2 on saturday. Jessie Vetter notched her 33rd career shutout in the win friday and the win saturday gave her her 75th victory as a Badger tying her for the school record w/ Jackie MacMillan.

The Women really took it to St. Cloud on friday, they started slow, but had a huge 2nd period. On saturday, St. Cloud brought a much better effort, but were again no match for the best team in the country.

My favorite moment of the weekend was when all the freshman skaters combined for a goal saturday as Brooke Ammerman (the Freshman Sensation) scored w/ assists from Brittany Haverstock (Nova Scotia's finest) and Carolyne Prevost (the Cardinal and White Ninja).

Top performances on the weekend for the Women: Brooke Ammerman had the biggest weekend w/ 3 goals and 2 assists. Not far behind was the top goal scorer in the country Hilary Knight w/ 2 of each. Erika Lawler had a playmaker on saturday along w/a goal.

Friday's game:
TCT (staff): Vetter gets another shutout
uwbadgers.com: Vetter does it again with shutout victory

Saturday's game:
TCT (Carey): Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey unbeaten at the holiday break
Daily Cardinal (Savide): With sweep of St. Cloud, Badgers undefeated heading into break
Badger Hearld (Donohue): Wisconsin leads nation in most statistical categories en route to unbeaten 1st half
Badger Herald (Mosgaller): UW near perfect at midway point
uwbadgers.com: Badgers give fans a good show overtaking Huskies 6-2

In the coming weeks off the blog will review the 1st half for both teams, take a look at some stats, and have a few polls for mid-season awards.