Hockey | 11/6/2024 3:32:00 PM
Crookston, Minn. - After two blowout wins last weekend, the Golden Eagles are bound for Madison, Wis. for a rematch of the WCCHA Semifinal game with the Badgers. The Golden Eagles are now 6-2-0 on the season, with a +30 goal differential. The Badgers have started the season 10-2-0, sitting at 4-0-0 in WCCHA competition with a total +43 goal differential.
The Golden Eagles and Wisconsin Badgers have only played once in program history, which was a 2-0 win for the Golden Eagles that would send them to the WCCHA Championship. It was a tight game the whole way, until Dalston Kelly (So., F, Grafton, N.D.) broke the ice with 11 minutes left in the third period. Adam Goody (So., G, Airdrie, Alberta) had a career game in that battle, stopping all 49 shots faced.
The Golden Eagles Player to Watch for this weekend is goaltender Adam Goody. Goody enters this weekend with a 3-1-0 record, a 1.38 goals against average, and a .948 save percentage. He currently has 110 saves on 116 shots faced. Fresh off of a 19 save shutout against Bethel, Goody will look to shut the door on a strong Badgers attack this weekend.
This will be a massive test for the Golden Eagles. The Badgers are currently tied for first in the WCCHA Southeast division, and have only allowed five goals in their inter-conference matchups. The Badgers offense has been their focal point early on this season, so the Golden Eagles will need to lean on their strong goaltending and complete defense in order to win these games. In all likelihood, it will be a rather low scoring weekend if the Golden Eagles stick to their game.
The Golden Eagles have only allowed 16 goals this season, the fewest in the WCCHA. That will be the key factor in this matchup. The Badgers have scored 70 goals this year, which puts them at the second most in the WCCHA this season. The Golden Eagles have only allowed 29.12 shots against per game, showcasing the strong group that bolsters their blue line.
The Golden Eagles and Badgers will faceoff on Friday, November 8th at 6:45 p.m. in the Subzero Ice Center. They will play game two on Saturday, November 9th at 10 a.m. back in the Subzero Ice Center.
