Weekend Preview: Big Ten, Dec. 4
Posted by: Jashvina ShahIt’s back.
This weekend Big Ten play will be underway for all teams, meaning Minnesota and Wisconsin will face conference competition for the first time this season. Finally we can see how the perceived top and bottom teams fare in the Big Ten
Before the season, Minnesota was projected to win the conference. But the Gophers have lost three of their last four, and will face Michigan State this weekend. The Spartan caused the Gophers trouble last year, making each contest a one-goal game or a tie.
Conversely there’s Wisconsin, picked third by most. The Badgers are off to their worst start in a very long time, but seem to be getting better each weekend. Wisconsin is actually undefeated in its last two, and won Saturday’s game. The Badgers were once unbeatable at home, but not this season. This series at the Kohl Center could tell us if this is just another slow start for the Badgers.
Pay attention to Penn State’s offense this weekend. After scoring at least three goals or more in 10 straight games, the Nittany Lions haven’t scored more than a goal per game in their last two losses. The line of Taylor Holstrom, Casey Bailey and David Goodwin has been Penn State’s most productive line.
Speaking of productive lines, Michigan’s Zach Hyman, Alex Kile and Dylan Larkin are leading Michigan’s offense. The Wolverines, after three strong games, will host Ohio State. Michigan may have found the consistency its been looking for.
Almost every team has struggled or been inconsistent against out of conference competition, which makes it hard to know how the teams will play against each other.
Michigan (7-6-0, 1-1-0 B1G) vs. Ohio State (5-8-1, 1-1-0 B1G): Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.
Ohio State seems to be getting better, while Michigan may have banished its inconsistency problems. The Wolverines are on a three-game winning streak and have outscored opponents 17-3 over that stretch, including 8-1 and 6-0 wins.
The Wolverines have won five of their last six games, and their goalkeeping situation seems to have settled. Zach Nagelvoort started the last six contests and boosted his save percentage from .885 to .911. Offensively, the team’s top line of Zach Hyman, Alex Kile and Dylan Larkin have taken the lead. The Wolverines average 3.77 goals per game, good for fourth in the nation.
The Buckeyes have been inconsistent in their wins this season, and have yet to earn two victories in a row. After falling to Western Michigan in the Shillelagh Tournament, Ohio State bounced back with a 5-1 over Notre Dame. The Irish aren’t a strong team this season, but five goals is good for a struggling Buckeye offense.
Taking the offensive lead this season is Tanner Fritz, who has 11 points. The Buckeyes knew the offense would struggle, but they’ve scored 10 goals total over the last three games. Christian Frey started the win over Notre Dame, but Matt Tomkins has started three of the last four games. Per The Lantern’s Matthew McGreevy, coach Steve Rohlik hasn’t decided on the starter for Friday.
Michigan has been hot at home recently, and the Wolverines are 7-0-1 against the Buckeyes in the last eight games. If Michigan can extend its performance from the last three games, taking a win at Yost should be expected.
Prediction: Michigan wins
Michigan State (8-4-0, 0-0-0 B1G) vs. Minnesota (5-8-1, 1-1-0 B1G): Dec. 5 at 7 p.m.; Dec. 6 at 5 p.m.
Minnesota enters this series having lost its last contest, while Michigan State won its last game. The Gophers have now lost three of it’s last four games, including a sweep against Minnesota-Duluth and a 3-2 defeat at Northeastern. The Spartans have won two of their last six, earning victories over Princeton and Ohio State.
Last year Minnesota’s offense struggled against the Spartans, scoring eight goals over four games. All four contests last season were one-goal decisions or ties.
Kyle Rau leads the Gophers all-time against the Spartans with five points (3g, 2a). He leads Minnesota’s offense this season with 15 points, while Justin Kloos has seven goals. Adam Wilcox has a .919 save percentage, tied for first amongst Big Ten goalkeepers.
Jake Hildebrand’s .914 save percentage is third in the conference, and Michigan State’s penalty kill ranks 15th, with a 89 percent success rate. The Spartans are known for a stingy defense — and blocking shots — and stingy offense, but the return of Matt Berry has helped Michigan State. His 13 points leads Michigan State.
The Gophers are the best team in the conference, but they’ve struggled lately. And the Spartans gave Minnesota trouble last year, so I’m hesitant of saying the Gophers will sweep.
Prediction: Minnesota wins one, ties the other
Wisconsin (1-8-1, 0-0-0 B1G) vs. Penn State (7-4-2, 1-1-0 B1G): Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. CT; Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. CT
The moment of truth.
The NCAA-worst Badgers host the Nittany Lions. But unlike last season, Wisconsin isn’t a lock to win at the Kohl Center. The Badgers have struggled, while Penn State has been a surprise in out-of-conference play.
Last weekend was a good one for Wisconsin, which is undefeated in its last two games. After tying Ferris State, the Badgers won 5-3. Joel Rumpel earned his 50th win and several players netted their first career points.
Grant Besse’s six points leads a struggling Wisconsin offense. Rumpel started the last three games and has a .900 save percentage for the season.
After a stretch of four wins, Penn State is on a two-game losing streak and has won two of its last five contests. The Nittany Lions fell to Cornell 3-1 last weekend, and Matthew Skoff made his first start since a 5-3 loss to UMass Lowell. The Nittany Lions split their only Big Ten series, defeating Michigan before falling 8-1.
Minnesota’s offense, averaging 3.33 goals per game, ranks second in the conference. But Taylor Holstrom and Casey Bailey lead scoring in the Big Ten with 18 and 16 points, respectively.
Last year’s December was a turning point for the Badgers, who went 20-6-1 from that month onward. But in January, Badgers coach Mike Eaves put together the Nic Kerdiles, Mark Zengerle and Tyler Barnes line – which was a huge factor.
This could just be a slow start for the Badgers, and this weekend should be pretty telling.
Prediction: Series split
