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The Wisconsin State Journal Tom Oates Column: Defense Brings Badgers Back

Posted on: Monday, 27 March 2006, 09:00 CST

By Tom Oates, The Wisconsin State Journal

Mar. 27--ASHWAUBENON -- A journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step.

A journey of 112 miles -- the distance from Green Bay to Milwaukee -- begins with a single goal.

Who knew it would take so long for the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team to score that goal -- and take that step -- Sunday against Cornell in an NCAA tournament regional final at the Resch Center?

The Badgers hadn't been to the NCAA Frozen Four in 14 years, and they kept their fans waiting for what seemed like another 14 Sunday. However, freshman Jack Skille's goal in the third overtime finally gave UW a 1-0 victory over Cornell and sent the Badgers to the Frozen Four at the Bradley Center.

As the last No. 1 seed standing and the only team playing in its home state, UW will surely be the favorite. After Sunday's 111-minute instant classic, it is obvious UW's hopes rest squarely on its defense.

Not a bad place to start, actually.

If there is one thing the Badgers' two victories -- they beat Bemidji State 4-0 Saturday -- in the regional proved that they are back playing defense like they did when they began the season with an 18-2-2 record. Back playing defense better than any team in the nation. Back playing defense like they hold the patent on it.

True, the Badgers can be offensively challenged, especially when their No. 1 line doesn't score, as it didn't against Cornell goaltender David McKee. However, the combination of unflappable goalie Brian Elliott, defensemen who block shots and clear rebounds relentlessly and forwards who consistently show up in the defensive zone made UW's net the second-most untouchable thing in Green Bay, right behind Brett Favre.

That was especially true Sunday in what UW coach Mike Eaves called "one of the best college games ever," one that didn't end until McKee let UW's 60th shot get past him.

"When was the last time you saw 100 shots in a hockey game and goaltending of that caliber and efforts by everybody on the ice?" Eaves asked.

Umm, how about never? Which, coincidentally, is about the last time anyone scored on UW.

You can't win if you don't score and UW hasn't allowed a goal since a semifinal loss to North Dakota at the WCHA Final Five. Counting the final period of that game and six Sunday, the Badgers haven't given up a goal in 13 periods.

Elliott tied the NCAA tournament record for career shutouts with two -- and he did it in one weekend. He also became the first UW goalie with three straight shutouts, no small feat at Goaltender U.

"It's just one of those moments where Brian is playing terrific and the people in front of him are playing well, too," Eaves said. "It's very rare, but it's a good time of year to get those types of things going for you."

A good time? It's a great time.

Yes, one must remember Cornell has only two double-digit goal-scorers and plays such a defensive style it makes the Badgers look like the 1980s Edmonton Oilers. But UW's defense was so solid, so in control that the Badgers feel they're back to where they were before Elliott missed eight games with an injury.

"This is the same group of guys that got to 18-2-2, so that excitement and that magic is still in that dressing room," senior forward Adam Burish said. "The feeling we have now is, 'Hey, we're back to where we were, if not better, the way we've been playing.' To still be able to score goals while at the same time not allowing these guys to score anything, you feel awesome."

Which, it turns out, is a different feeling than the one UW had at 18-2-2.

"It's an even better feeling, because I think what we went through tonight is obviously something we haven't gone through before," sophomore defenseman Davis Drewiske said. "Just the style of game it was and the quality of the team that we were playing, I think we really forged ourselves into a better team tonight."

That bodes well for UW when it makes the short drive to Milwaukee, where Maine (UW's semifinal opponent) and Boston College are also among the nation's top defensive teams and only North Dakota is an offensive dynamo.

"When it comes down to it, there's going to be one-goal games," senior defenseman Tom Gilbert said. "We're keeping teams to one, zero goals and Elliott's playing out of his mind right now. We feel really confident going to the NCAA Frozen Four."

After what seemed like a 1,000-mile journey Sunday, they should.

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Wisconsin State Journal

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Source: The Wisconsin State Journal

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