11/17/05

Men's Hockey Pregame

Mavericks vs. Badgers

by Dan Myers
November 17, 2005

Men's Hockey Pregame

Friday, 7:07 p.m. | Saturday, 8:07 p.m.
Kohl Center in Madison, Wis.
Last Season: Split

Minnesota State

2-6-2 overall, 2-4-2 WCHA

Leading Scorers

• David Backes, Jr-F (5-9-14)
• Ryan Carter, So-F (4-5-9)
• Travis Morin, Jr-F (4-5-9)
• Kyle Peto, Sr-D (1-8-9)
• Brock Becker, Sr-F (4-4-8)

Goaltenders

• Dan Tormey, Fr-G (2-2-2) .894, 2.92
• Mike Zacharias, Fr-G (0-2-0), .849, 5.55
• Chris Clark, Jr-G (0-2-0) .859, 4.59

Last Weekend: T 3-3, W 4-0 vs. Denver at MSU

No. 2 Wisconsin

7-1-2 overall, 6-0-2 WCHA

Leading Scorers

• Joe Pavelski, So-F (6-7-13)
• Robbie Earl, Jr-F (4-9-13)
• Tom Gilbert, Sr-D (2-6-8)
• Jack Skille, Fr-F (5-1-6)
• Adam Burish, Sr-F (2-4-6)
• Ryan MacMurchy, Sr-F (2-4-6)
• Andrew Joudrey, Jr-F (3-3-6)

Goaltenders

• Brian Elliot, Jr-G (7-1-2) .944, 1.38
• Shane Connelly (0-0-0) .000, 0.00

Last Weekend: T 2-2, W 3-0 vs. Colorado College at UW

The Scoop

Wisconsin has been perhaps the best team in the nation thus far. After losing their second game of the season to St. Lawrence, the Badgers have gone unbeaten in eight straight — all against WCHA competition. UW is the only remaining team in the conference without a loss in WCHA play. But Minnesota State has caught fire of late. Led by freshman netminder Dan Tormey, MSU has taken three of four points each of the past two weekends, including a 4-0 win over defending national champion Denver last Saturday in Mankato. Tormey has won WCHA Rookie of the Week honors each of the last two weekends, but will need help if the Mavericks hope to reverse their fortunes in Madison. Since joining the WCHA in 1999, MSU is just 2-5-1 at the Kohl Center.