So far this season the Badgers haven't been doing too extememly hot. They are however on a 3 game winning streak which is more than they ever won in a row last season. I believe they are beginning to come together and won't have a worse season than last years, when the wrongfully edged Mankato out of a playoff spot with a losing record just because they were hosting.
The Badgers scored 5pp goals last Saturday vs Tech.. I know that really isn't saying much but for a team that really has never been known to convert on the power play in any season, its saying a bit.
The Badgers are thinking of going to a goalie rotation which is good. Connelly has ADD and unless he has about 100 shots on him each game he gets distracted and doesn't know what to do. Gudmandson is a sophomore and he will suck like Connelly did last year if he doesn't get some playing time. Plus, Goody has more raw talent than Cons but he needs the playing time to hone his skills.
Enough about goalies. My new favorite player is Matt Thurber. I'm not really sure why yet but I don't need a reason. The bad news is that I had to pick a new favorite because my favorite player and co-cap of the Badgers, Ben Street, is out until at least the end of January with a knee injury. If he so chooses to make me happy, he can medical redshirt and come back next year. I would be oh so excited.
Street was splitting the cappy job with Geoffrion who has now been named sole cappy with the assistants being named McBain and McDonagh. Geoffrion seems to be having a bit less spark this year. I don't know if its because he has taken this new leadership role and feels less inclined to get a penalty so he doesn't go as hard, or if he's just another year older like the rest of us and beginning to slow down. I'm guessing the first but hey I like to think that I'm not the only one getting slower.
McBain had a rough first couple games but then got into his groove. He is a solid guy and rarely makes game changing mistakes.
Smith on the other hand, can't puck handle to save his life. His redeeming quality is his GREAT shot. He could pierce a goalie through the chest with his laser shot but to me his puck handling is just downright scary.
Another new favorite is Murray whom I have decided to nickname the red headed step child. Mainly because of his red hair, but also because he fits the stigma of how step children are always annoying. He is all over the ice, quick as hell, and is always putting a body on somebody. Its great.
Gardiner was suppose to be a godsend on hockey but I haven't really seen too much out of him yet.
Turnbull and Davies aren't getting as much playing time this year because of their performance this far.
McDonagh and Goloubef are keeping the blue line cozy. They haven't made and waves good or bad really try. I am a fan of both. McDonagh is a great pick for a leader because he is always consistently on top of his game. He may not throw up the high numbers but he never has a bad game.
The giant of the team at 6'6'' in Mitchell has been gaving a pretty good year. His first year he seemed slower than molasses in January, but has steadily improved over the last two years. I think he might lead the team in breakaways. Of course his 8 foot arms probably help with that. He is also been knnown to throw his weight around and get into a few scuffles.
And then there is little Patty Johnson. He tries to check everybody and then is up in all their faces. He will fight anybody which considering he's usually the smallest guy on the ice for both thems (unless we are playing St Cloud) is pretty amusing.
When we played the Gophers Grotting got into a huge scuffle with some players during the game and I'm guessing Eaves is punishing him because I haven't seen him back on the ice since. This wasn't just any fight though. He was rewarded for his efforts with a game disqualification. It was a gloves off, helmets off, face to the ice type beating. I can't remember if it ended up with a Gopher pp or not but they committed 3 more penalties within the next minute so the Badgers ultimately ended up with a 5 on 3. There were so many guys in the box there was standing room only and just when we thought they couldn't shove another one in, they did. I think it ended up being 4 for us and 7 for them in the boxes. It probably would have been easier to put the penalized players on the bench and have the rest go to the box.
So that's about all for now. I think I have tennis elbow in my thumbs from typing all this out on my phone and I'm just way too damn lazy to proof read this all on my 1 square inch screen, so forgive any spelling mistakes because I know there are probably a few.
