Smith suspended for an additional game, Lee cleared to play, & other news

• In addition to sitting out this Friday's game v. UNH due to his game disqualification associated with his check-from-behind on Mankato's Geoff Irwin last Saturday, Craig Smith will also be sitting out this Saturday's game, as the WCHA handed down an additional game suspension yesterday. Andy Baggot writes about it in his blog and the WSJ, and here's the uwbadgers release. Shane Frederick reports that Irwin will miss both games at Denver this weekend due to an upper body injury.

• Derek Lee has finally received clearance to play by the NCAA. Baggot writes about it in the same blog post and WSJ article linked above, and here's the uwbadgers release.

• Mike Eaves and Tracey DeKeyser addressed the media Monday in their weekly press conferences.

• Andy Baggot has 5 good minutes with Brett Bennett.

• Olivia Jakiel returned to her blog this week.

• Tom Hager of the Badger Herald has a nice article about Lauren Unser, as well as an article about the Badger Women's early struggles and goaltending battle.

• The Badger Herald finally has a recap of the Badger Men's games last weekend.

• As expected, with the the Hawks off until Thursday, Jake Dowell was sent back to Rockford yesterday. The Icehogs play tonight @ the Chicago Wolves.
  

09/10 Women's Previews: #13 Olivia Jakiel

Vitals:

Position: Defender
Year in School: Junior
Shoots Left
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Major: Journalism
Previous Team: California Selects in 06/07

08/09 Stats: 41 games, 0-9-9, +35, 20 PIM
07/08 Stats: 41 games, 1-4-5, +26, 10 PIM

09/10 Role: 2nd pairing, special teams

08/09 Recap: Olivia was another solid piece of the UW blue line last season. She was 6th on the team in +/- and 3rd on the blue line, while contributing in all situations out on the ice.

09/10 Thoughts: From my perspective, this season is all about stepping up at all positions for the Badger Women. The blue line is no different, as a junior Olivia will join Malee Windmeier as the leaders on defense, and w/ three freshman joining them and the loss of Alycia Matthews their play will be important to the success of the Badgers during this Olympic season.

Prediction: 34 games, 1-7-8*
*All predictions for regular season only

Photo from uwbadgers.com

Women's Player Previews: #3 Olivia Jakiel

Vitals:

Position: Defense
Year in School: Sophomore
Shoots Left
Height: 5-10
Hometown: Santa Clarita, CA
Previous Team: California Selects
Major: Journalism

07/08 Stats: 41 games, 1-4-5, +26, 10 PIM

Thoughts: Another California girl, Olivia and Kelly Nash were teammates before arriving in Madison. Her +/- is rather impressive from last season. She began playing ice hockey at age 11.

Photo from uwbadgers.com