Michigan Hockey: Big Ten Tournament -- Wisconsin

Posted at 6:00pm — 3/19/2015

Michigan Wolverine Hockey: Big Ten Tournament — Wisconsin

What: B1G Ten Hockey Tournament
When: Thursday-Saturday March 19th-21st
Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit
#4 Penn State (18-14-4) vs. #5 Ohio State (13-18-3) Thursday @ 4:30 p.m. Winner vs. #1 Minnesota (21-12-3) 4:30 p.m. Friday.
#3 Michigan (20-14-0) vs. #6 Wisconsin (4-25-5) Thursday @ 8 p.m. Winner vs. #2 MSU (17-15-2) 8:00 p.m. Friday.

Championship Game 8 p.m. Saturday.
TV/Radio: Thursday/ Friday/Saturday: BTN
WTKA 1050 a.m. with Al Randall & Bill Trainor. www.mgoblue.com

Handicapping The B1G Ten Tournament Field

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#6 Wisconsin (4-25-5)

The Badgers have probably suffered through one of their worst seasons in recent history, not recovering from losing their first 7 games. Wisconsin has beaten Michigan Tech and MSU, so they are capable of winning games against very strong defensive teams.

They are a young team that will continue to improve but certainly the task of winning three straight games to continue their season is mighty. The Badgers are at the bottom of most significant statistical categories- particularly their defense which yields over four goals a game in conjunction with an offense that struggles to score twice a game.

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Their best chance is with senior goaltender Joel Rumpel (4-22-4, 3.43 GAA, .904 save %) who helped the Badgers win the B1G Ten conference tournament in Minneapolis last season. His back-up, senior Landon Peterson (0-3-1, 3.49 GAA, .897 save %) relieved Rumpel late in the season. Both will move on, creating another issue next season for the Cream and Crimson.

Offensively, Wisconsin relies on sophomore Grant Besse (11-11-22), senior Joe Labate (6-12-18) and junior Morgan Zulinick (5-10-15) to lead them. The Badgers were swept by Michigan in their season series although the first game between the teams in Madison proved that the Badgers will take advantage of poor defensive play. They jumped out to 3-1 and 4-1 leads before succumbing to a third period barrage by the Wolverines that recovered for a 7-4 win.

The Wolverines dominated the remaining three games earning two shutouts. If Wisconsin upsets Michigan, they will move on against MSU, a team that shut the Badgers out three more times.

Ex-factors: This is a “second” season for the Badgers and they will fight and claw to survive. If Rumpel keeps them in the first game and they steal a win, it could launch a decent run. Most likely they will have to outscore their mistakes, something that Michigan can do much better than the Badgers in a neutral setting more familiar to the Wolverines.

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Written by GBMWolverine Staff — Yostmeister

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