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Wisconsin Hockey: Badgers Remain in Big Ten Title Hunt

By Tyler Hunt

Jan 24, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; The Kohl Center is the home of the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team. The image was taken before the game with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Wisconsin defeated Penn State 82-55. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 24, 2017; Madison, WI, USA; The Kohl Center is the home of the Wisconsin Badgers basketball team. The image was taken before the game with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Wisconsin defeated Penn State 82-55. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wisconsin Hockey Set Up for Big Ten Title Contention

I know that most of our readers come here for the football and basketball, but its time we take a minute to discuss Wisconsin Hockey. They’ve earned it. Coming into the season the expectation was that this would be a rebuilding year with new Head Coach Tony Granato, but the Badgers have soared well above expectations of that in their first season of the new regime. After splitting with Minnesota and sweeping both Ohio State and Michigan State it’s time to discuss the Badgers being back to traditional Wisconsin hockey despite a new style of play.

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Wisconsin Hockey suffered its worst back to back seasons in program history in the two previous years, but have since bounced back since the changing of the guard at UW. The Badgers have always had the talent, it was just a matter of attitude and style of play that was holding them back. While Mike Eaves had a tremendous amount of success in his “Defensive-dump and chase” philosophy, but many teams eventually caught on. Today, with a more wide open and fast paced style of play the Badgers are building momentum down the stretch for a possible run at a NCAA playoff spot.

After a weekend that saw 5th ranked Penn State swept by the Gophers the Badgers sit tied at the top of the Big Ten with the Gophers with five weekends to go. Certainly a lot could change between now and then however as the Badgers have a difficult road ahead of them that will likely shake out the Big Ten. With Penn State, Michigan and a road trip to Minnesota on the docket the Badgers will have to continue to play their best hockey.

If Luke Kunin can continue to score at will, and Seasmus Malone can continue to distribute the puck in the offensive zone the Badgers could be well on their way to contention if the defense can continue to hold strong. The unit has improved tremendously since the inception of the season, and will have to keep that up against the high scoring Nittany Lions this weekend. Wisconsin Hockey has climbed to 18th in the latest rankings and will look to continue to trend upward.