Michigan and Wisconsin have both endured rough patches this season and now find each other tied for fourth — and home ice — in the Big Ten standings. With postseason stakes reaching a boiling point, the Wolverines look to control their own destiny in this critical two-game series:
The No. 10 Michigan Wolverines (14-9-1) are set for their second series clash with the Wisconsin Badgers (10-12-2) in Madison. Although Wisconsin is below .500, head coach Mike Hastings proved in December his squad is never to be overlooked.
Following a disastrous 3-8 start to the season, Hastings has miraculously revived the Badgers and completely changed the trajectory of his team. With key wins over Michigan State , Michigan and UConn , Wisconsin has surged up to No. 17 in the Pairwise rankings, positioning itself firmly in the mix for home ice in the Big Ten Tournament . The Badgers are currently tied for fourth with Michigan (fourth is the last team to earn home ice) and in the thick of the bubble conversation for the NCAA Tournament.
Leading the charge for Wisconsin’s postseason aspirations is superstar freshman forward Quinn Finley (18G, 15A). Finely leads the Badgers with 33 points and leads the nation in goal-scoring, averaging .75 goals per game. The first time these two teams met, Finley was held in check with only one goal in two games, but he is currently on a heater (three-game goal streak, eight-game points streak) and will be looking to take over the weekend.
On the blue line, the Badgers proved how potent they can be in December when they shut out the Wolverines and prolonged Michigan’s historic goalless streak. A defining trait of their defensive prowess is not their talent, but their effort. The Badgers have five players with more than 20 blocks this season, and it has become evident if you do not block shots, you will not be on the ice. Even Finley has blocked five this season.
In net, senior Tommy Scarfone (.913 SV%) has continued his second-half surge and has helped keep the Badgers alive during offensive dry spells. The former Atlantic Hockey Goaltender of the Year is used to big moments and will be looking to notch his second shutout — fourth of the year — against the Wolverines.
For Michigan, the drought is over! The Wolverines enter this weekend’s matchup in a vastly better place than when these two teams met in December. Fresh off a split with No. 1 Michigan State, head coach Brandon Naurato’s team is once again surging at the right time.
True freshman Michael Hage (11G, 13A) still leads this team in points, but the veteran T.J. Hughes (9G, 14A) is now hot on his heels riding a seven-game points streak. The midseason addition of freshman Will Horcoff (2G, 3A) — the youngest player in college hockey — has sparked Michigan’s power play.
After a slow start, Michigan’s power play is now ranked in the top-five nationally and has been scoring at a 50 percent clip since the start of the new year. Horcoff’s left-handed shot and strong net-front presence have helped open up the Wolverines’ man-advantages and evoked the potency of teams past.
Defensively, the Wolverines were falling apart following the untimely departure of Tim Lovell and a handful of injuries. However, with the emergence of a few versatile role players and the returns of Tyler Duke (3G, 2A) and Dakoda Rhéaume-Mullen (1G, 4A), Michigan is beginning to regain its form on the blue line. As long as it can stay out of the sin bin, that is.
In net, Logan Stein (.899 SV%) — despite misleading overall statistics — has secured the starting job. Last weekend, Stein became the first Michigan goalie to start both games in a single weekend this season against top-ranked Michigan State. Stein stole the victory for the Wolverines in the first game, stopping 35-of-37 shots and out-dueling All-Universe rival goaltender Trey Augustine. In game two, Stein stopped 28-of-32 shots, but only one of those goals came during five-on-five play.
Key to the Game
Madison is one of the most difficult places to win in the Big Ten and there will be a postseason atmosphere in the Kohl Center. The Wolverines cannot afford a slow start and have to fight back from behind in either game. Moreover, Michigan can also not afford midgame malaise and allow the Badgers to surge.
This weekend, the Wolverines need a minimum of 10 shots on goal per period. This style of play will keep the heat on the Badgers to keep pace, block more shots, take more penalties, and eventually wear down. If Michigan can keep its foot on the gas for both games, it should not return to Ann Arbor with anything less than four points and sole possession of fourth — and home ice — in the conference.
Game 1
When: Friday, Jan. 24, 8 p.m. ET
Where: Kohl Center; Madison, WI
How to watch: BIG+
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network
Game 2
When: Saturday, Jan. 25, 8:30 p.m. ET
Where: Kohl Center; Madison, WI
How to watch: Big Ten Network
How to listen: Varsity Podcast Network