Border Battle Resumes
November 17, 2006 | Men's Hockey
Wisconsin's most played hockey series resumes this Saturday and Sunday when the No. 13/14 men's hockey Badgers (4-6-2, 3-4-1 WCHA) face No. 1 /2 Minnesota (8-1-2, 4-0-2 WCHA). The Badgers enter the series with losses in three straight games, while the Gophers enter on a 10-game unbeaten streak (8-0-2), however the Badgers have been looking forward to this weekend's games since playing one of their best periods of the season during last Saturday's third period against Denver.
The Badgers and Gophers have met 237 times, plus or minus a few meetings in the 1920s and 1930s that are a bit hazy in the record books. Minnesota has gotten the better of the Badgers over the long haul, but the Badgers took both games at Mariucci Arena last season, and three out of five to earn the season series victory.
The Badgers still have Brian Elliott in goal, who is perfect against Minnesota in his last 124:00 played. Elliott boasts back-to-back 4-0 shutouts over Minnesota, including most recently last March at the Xcel Center during the third-place game at the 2006 WCHA Final Five. He also boasts a 3-0-0 record against the Gophers, with all three contests held in the State of Minnesota.
This week's games against the Gophers match the Badgers against a No. 1 team in the country. Under Eaves, the Badgers are a startling 6-1-1 against No. 1 ranked teams, including last year's WCHA Final Five third-place game against Minnesota. The only loss to a No. 1 team during the Eaves era came during the 2004 NCAA Tournament during a 2-1 overtime loss at the hands of Maine.
The games this weekend are live on FSN North. The games can also be heard live on the Wisconsin Radio Network or at UWBADGERS.COM. Saturday's 6 p.m., game will be on WIBA-AM 1310 in Madison, while Sunday's 5 p.m., contest is set for WTSO-AM 1070.
