Game Preview: Wisconsin Welcomes Denver in Weekend Series

[BuckySaunders]

The Matchup: Wisconsin vs. Denver

Dates: Friday/Saturday, November 20/21 7:30/8:00 (CT)

Location: Madison, Wisconsin. Kohl Center

Ice Surface: 200’ X 97’

TV: ASN/Wisconsin Channel

Radio: Friday WIBA AM 1310/ Saturday WTSO 1070

Video Stream: BTN2Go.com

Audio Stream: Badgersportsnetwork.com (Free)

All-Time Series: 76-60-12 UW leads

Last Meeting: 3-2 Denver over WI



About Denver

Record: 6-3-1 (3-0-1-0 NCHC)

Head Coach: Brad Berry (3rd season — 50-33-9)

Stat Leaders:

Points: Will Butcher (10)

Goals: Matt Marcinew (5)

Assists: 3 tied at (7)

Save Pct.: Evan Cowley (.921)

Goals Against Average: Evan Cowley (2.17)



About Wisconsin:

Record: 3-4-3 (0-0-0 in Big Ten)

Head Coach: Mike Eaves (14th Season – 262-210-61)

Notable: Wisconsin welcomes Denver to The Kohl Center after a bye week. Wisconsin split their previous series with top ranked North Dakota preceeding the bye week. Wisconsin has not lost at The Kohl Center this year (2-0-2)



Stat Leaders

Points: Grant Besse (10)

Goals: Grant Besse (4)

Assists: Grant Besse and Seamus Malone (6)

Save Pct.: Matt Jurusik (.913)

Goals Against Average: Matt Jurusik (2.66)

Quick Analysis:

Badgers are good at home and I fully expect that trend to continue with a top tier team in Denver coming to town.

This Wisconsin team who almost has as many wins this year (3) than they had all of last season (4) has a bit of swagger to them.

Grant Besse picked up where he left off this season leading the Badgers with ten points through the first ten games.

The freshmen for Wisconsin, which was a weakness last year have been a consistent strong point this year. Watch for Luke Kunin and Seamus Malone who have found homes on the first and second lines respectively to have solid weekends.

Denver, much like North Dakota takes on an unranked Wisconsin team while being ranked in the top ten in college hockey. Denver’s depth and veteran leadership stems from Will Butcher and Matt Marcinew who lead the Pioneers in points and goals.

The two teams match up well on paper. Should be a good weekend for hockey in Madison, Wisonsin.

Prediction:



Friday: Wisconsin 2 Denver 4

Saturday: Wisconsin 3 Denver 1
I’ll take the split this weekend. Denver is too good to be swept but you gotta love the Badgers at home.

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