How Low Can You Go?

Badger Hockey Is Struggling

A 4-0 nothing loss to the Gophers on Friday night was bad… a 9-2 loss on Saturday night… UGLY. I don’t recall ever seeing the Badgers give up 9 goals at home (or on the road for that matter). They’ve always been a good hockey team with defense being their calling card. I can say that no more.

What can I say?

Honestly, not sure. They’re a team in disarray. They gave up 4 goals in the first period and never got on track. There were short bursts where they played well. They looked like they were giving 110%, but for the most part they played lazy, grade d hockey.

Defensively, I’ve never seen them block few shots. I’ve never seen them pass up so many opportunities to put a body on an opponent. I’ve never seen them look so little like Wisconsin. I can’t express to you in words how disappointed I was. 25 years as season ticket holder and I’ve never seen them look so disinterested against their most hated rival… the Minnesota Golden Gophers. A complete disgrace.

What would I do?

If I was King for a Day I would do the following:

• Remove Mike Eaves – In a professional and gracefully manner ask Mike Eaves to step down or relieve him of his duties. I would try to do it with class knowing that Mike Eaves is one of the Badgers all-time greats. 1977 National Champion as a player and 2006 National Champion as a coach. He also directed the Badgers to the title game in 2010 which lost to Boston College.
• Promote Luke Strand – I would promote Luke Strand to Interim Head Coach and give him every opportunity to prove he can coach at this level. If you review Luke’s resume he has an impressive body of work. A Wisconsin guy through and through. That said, can he coach? And does he have the name recognition to recruit top level talent to Wisconsin? I don’t know the answers to those questions, but I’d like to find out.
• Develop a Plan B – In the event that Mr. Strand is not the guy what is my backup plan? Is it Mark Osiecki willing and ready to lead a program like Wisconsin. He’s a former Eaves Assistant and Head Coach at Ohio State. Great recruiter, players love to play for him and would definitely restore the swagger. The question is… Can the athletic department wrap their arms around him and welcome him home?If not Oz, who is the guy? George Gwozdecky? Steve Rohlik? Mark Johnson? Honestly, I don’t know who is the next target, but I’m sure someone in the athletic department could help me out.
• Reassure the guys – I realize they got their asses kicked by Minnesota. Nothing on the planet could be worse as far as I can tell. That said, as a team you’re never as good or as bad as you seem. I’m sure the guys feel worse than I do. I’m sure they’re angry and wish they could get back on the ice today. I know they know how to play hockey. I’m sure each guy takes pride in his game (seems like a given to reach this level) and I’m sure they’ll bounce back. Let them back on the ice and let them work. Work through the issues.

On Deck

Next up for the Badgers are the Alaska Nanooks. I don’t know much about them other than they’re Division 1, they play in the WCHA and made the tournament recently. They’re record this year isn’t great, but at this point in time who can the Badgers compare themselves to? They can’t overlook anyone and they should be playing every series like it’s their last.

That said, I know Mike Eaves and the players and the pride the guys have wearing the jerseys. I don’t think I’d want to be Alaska this coming weekend.

GO BUCKY!