Border Battle Renews Tonight on the Ice
December 02, 2005 | Men's Hockey
No. 1 Wisconsin men's hockey (11-1-2, 8-0-2 WCHA) visits border-rival and fourth-rnaked Minnesota (7-3-4, 6-2-2 WCHA) looking to remain unbeaten and alone in first place in the WCHA. The Badgers currently hold a four-point lead over the Gophers in the standings as the teams meet for two games this weekend.
The Badgers and Gophers both played in last weekend's College Hockey Showcase. Wisconsin earned a sweep, winning 3-1 at then-No. 18 Michigan State and 3-2 at then-No. 1 Michigan. Senior Ryan MacMurchy had a goal and an assist in the MSU win, while junior Robbie Earl posted a goal and assist in the UM win. Senior captain Adam Burish collected both game-winning goals.
Minnesota used five power-play goals to knock off UM, 6-3, before skating to a 2-2 tie at MSU.
Wisconsin's 12-game unbeaten streak (10-0-2) is currently the longest in the nation, while its 10-game league unbeaten streak (8-0-2) is the third-longest in school history. Minnesota boasts its own six-game unbeaten stretch (4-0-2), currently the second longest in the nation. The games this weekend will mark the fourth-straight weekend the Badgers will face the team with the nation's second-longest unbeaten streak as Colorado College was on a seven-game winning streak, Minnesota State was unbeaten in four games and Michigan entered the weekend on a five-game winning streak. Michigan did lose to Minnesota the night before playing Wisconsin.
The No. 1 Badgers are ranked No. 1 for the first time since Oct. 23, 2000, when they were the top team in both the USCHO.com and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Polls. It marks the first No. 1 ranking for the Badgers under head coach Mike Eaves.
The games at Minnesota this weekend count for a total of 20 points in the race for the Border Battle Cup. The Badgers currently hold a 120-100 advantage in the competition.
Both Friday and Saturday's games will be televised live on FSN North. The game begins at 7 p.m. The games can also be heard live on WIBA-AM and over the internet at uwbadgers.com.
