Hockey Season means Big Things for Wisconsin
Both Wisconsin women’s and men’s hockey are predicted for big things for the 2017-2018 collegiate hockey season.
While Wisconsin football may dominate the headlines given its strong start to the 2017 season. But big things appear to be in order on the ice for Wisconsin Badger hockey this year.
The preseason projections rate Wisconsin women’s and men’s hockey highly. Both squads are expected to do big things in 2017-2018.
Wisconsin women’s hockey begins the 2017-2018 season in the same place it finished the previous campaign. In the #2 spot nationally in the “USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll” behind Clarkson.
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The Badgers lost to Clarkson in the national championship game.
"The Badgers, who received 128 votes in the poll, are coming off a 33-3-4 season which featured UW’s sixth WCHA regular-season title and its seventh WCHA tournament crown."
However, the pollsters seem to struggle picking between Wisconsin and rival Minnesota. The Gophers are #3 in the USCHO.com poll. Yet, Minnesota is tabbed to place first in the WCHA narrowly eclipsing Wisconsin for the preseason honors.
Wisconsin women’s hockey starts the season this weekend with a two-game set against Lindenwood.
It’s safe to expect more of the same for Wisconsin women’s hockey. Specifically, a heavy favorite for the national championship game.
Meanwhile, there are big things on tap for Wisconsin men’s hockey according to the preseason forecast.
Wisconsin men’s hockey is projected to finish 3rd in the Big Ten behind the holders Minnesota and new entrant Notre Dame. In addition, the preseason watch list included a trio of Wisconsin Badgers.
"Wisconsin finished second in the Big Ten last season in both the regular season and in the conference tournament and returns 72 percent of its offensive production while welcoming potent newcomers and a revamped defense and goaltending group."
Senior forward Cameron Hughes, senior goalie Kyle Hayton, and sophomore Trent Frederic all are on the Big Ten list of players to watch.
It’s yet another signal the turnaround engineered by head coach Tony Granato is taking another big step forward in his second season. Or as famed hockey legend Drake would put it (he is Canadian so maybe by law he has to care about hockey).
Now his Badgers are dealing with the weight of expectations. They won’t be sneaking up on anyone this season.
Next: Week Four College Football Polls
But in sum, keep an eye on Wisconsin men’s and women’s hockey this year. It looks like big things are in store for the Badgers on the ice.