FOCUS ON UW MEN’S HOCKEY
MADISON – A weekly look at the Wisconsin men's hockey team.
FOR THE RECORD
Wisconsin carries a 11-19 overall record and a 4-16 mark in the Big Ten following a split with Minnesota last week. The Badgers lost, 4-1, on Friday to the Gophers but came back to beat the nation's top-ranked team, 3-1, Saturday.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK Kyle McClellan makes the most of his chance
Junior goalie Kyle McClellan made nine appearance and just three starts before getting the call last week against Minnesota. The transfer from Mercyhurst relieved Jared Moe during the second period Friday and made 20 saves, 17 during the final period. The next night he started and made 32 saves in the Badgers' first win over a No. 1-ranked team in two years.
He compiled a .963 save percentage and a 1.32 goals-against average in the two appearances against the highest scoring team in the Big Ten.
NOTABLE Badgers played physical, by-the-book play vs. Gophers
Luke LaMaster's body check of Jimmy Snuggerud into the UW bench during the third period Saturday was highlightreel material and symbolic of physical play the Badgers exhibited throughout the series. Considering the level of physical play, the Badgers did it without drawing a lot of penalties. The had five for the weekend.
“We played disciplined that way,” UW head coach Tony Granato said. “I think it's because we skated so well. We weren't out of position often. We didn't have to reach to pull guys down or scramble to get back into position.”
Another start likely for McClellan?
It stands to reason that McClellan earned another opportunity in the net and Granato basically said as much during his weekly session with the media.
“You obviously saw what Kyle did Saturday and what he did in relief on Friday so he's in a position to play one of the games this weekend,” Granato said.
Seniors to be honored
Seven seniors will be recognized prior to the game Saturday: captain Dominick Mersch and alternate captains Brock Caufield and Jack Gorniak are graduate students playing their fifth year.
The rest of the senior class – Jared Moe, Owen Lindmark, Mike Vorlicky and Shay Donovan – could return next year. Moe and Donovan have another year due to COVID-19 pandemic. Vorlicky and Lindmark have their COVID year plus a season due to a medical redshirt.
BY THE NUMBERS
4-2 Badgers record in the last six meetings with Minnesota when the Gophers were ranked No. 1.
29 Games between goals for Daniel Laatsch, who scored the game-winner Friday.
.500 Winning percentage all-time for Wisconsin against Michigan State (62-62-4).
COMING UP Badgers face Michigan State in final home series of season
vs. No. 17/14 Michigan State 8 p.m.
Friday and 7 p.m. Saturday: The Spartans enter the weekend tied for third in the Big Ten with 31 points and can clinch home ice for the playoffs. The game Friday can be seen on Big Ten Network; the contest Saturday will be shown on Bally Sports Wisconsin and Big Ten Network-plus.