Wisconsin Hockey

[logan82]

Who here likes college hockey? I am a big fan and am am trying to guage interest in meeting up to talk Brewers and go to a game.

[PeaveyFury]

I definitely am a Wisconsin Hockey fan.

[paul253]

I am a huge Wisconsin hockey fan...I still say the most exciting sporting event I've ever gone to is a tie between the MU-Pittsburgh NCAA tournament game in Minneapolis the year they went to the final 4, and the National Championship Hockey game between Wisconsin and Boston College 2 years ago in Milwaukee. They have an extremely young team this year, and lost a lot of scoring, but they have arguably the top freshmen forward and top freshmen defensemen in the country, so maybe they'll be ok.

[brewcrewman17]

Lets not forget that the women's team started their season last weekend with a 5-0 11-0 sweep of Union... and are ranked #1 (again) and are going for a three-peat. There is a lot of fun to be had with women's athletics. I love the men's team, but this women's team is something special that goes overwhelmingly un-appreciated.

[And That]

For some reason, I still remember the Badgers men's 1990 Frozen Four win. Duane Derksen was briefly my hero.

[danzig6767]

I've been watching Badger hockey since i was a little kid and they replayed the home games on channel 36

 

Last year was a bummer,they just couldn't score goals because they lacked offensive playmakers

[letsgored2003]

I'm a huge Badger Hockey fan - My buddies and I have Friday night season tickets.

[hawing]

Duane Derksen was briefly my hero.

 

1989-1990 was my last year as a UW-Madison student (and the only year I didn't get season tickets to hockey).

 

A few years later, Duane Derksen had a fine at my library. When he paid it (by mail) he enclosed a thank you note for me. His signature was clearly intended to be "autograph style." I still have that note somewhere.

 

When I watch Badger hockey on TV nowadays, I still think of 1990 players when I see certain uniform numbers. Like 27 = Paul Ranheim. Sorry to whoever's 27 on the current roster.

 

(Edited, with a big raspberry for M Skjellyfetti.)

[burniebrewer]

I'm also a fan. I don't get to many games though.

[bretsky07]

For some reason, I still remember the Badgers men's 1990 Frozen Four win. Duane Derksen was briefly my hero.

 

I was about 6 then, and still have a full team picture with almost everyone's autograph, plus a few pictures of just me with a few players (I can't recall who off the top of my head). I do love me some Badger hockey!

[danzig6767]

My love for hockey started as a little kid.My grandma lived by Wilson Park and the Admirals used to play their games there.My cousin and i would go watch them practice and my uncle worked at Wilson Park,so the guys on the team knew him.In fact sometimes Admiral players would come over to my grandmas house for dinner and the players gave us sticks and pucks.

 

That lead me to start watching Badger hockey replays on channel 36.Got to see all the great players like Mark Johnson,John Newberry,Pat Flatley,Granato brothers,Chelios,Scott Mellanby,Brian Rafalski along with the long line of great goalies.Speaking of goalies,the goalie coach Bill Howard doesn't get enough credit for what he's brought to the program.The number of high quality goaltenders that developed under his teaching is incredible.

[TooLiveBrew]

UW Badger hockey = best money-for-ticket on campus by far.

 

UUUuuuuge Badger 'ahckey fan here. Completely converted to such by working at the Kohl Center. Knew nothing of college hockey prior to that.

 

Badger hockey fans = best fans on campus...by far.

[trwi7]

I enjoy chatting with Minnesota fans who say Marriuci Arena has the best college hockey atmosphere. So misguided of course they go to Minnesota so that's to be expected. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[burniebrewer]

I enjoy chatting with Minnesota fans

 

Glad you had more to say than just this because no one enjoys chatting with Gopher fans!

[M Skjellyfetti]

1898-1990 was my last year as a UW-Madison student

 

I'm on the 5.5-year plan at UW, and I thought that was bad. But your last year must have seemed like forever! http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif

 

UW Badger hockey = best money-for-ticket on campus by far.

 

I don't know about that. I'd personally say wrestling or one of the other smaller sports would be the best deal. The excitement of a wrestling match (or insert other sport here) for only a couple bucks (or often times free) would outweigh paying a bunch for hockey tickets, IMO. But that's just me.

[TooLiveBrew]

I'll assume you've been to a hockey game at the KC, then mskelly? While I agree the price is obviously higher than some other sports, the combination of deafening atmoshphere, intelligent & well-versed fans (they know their sport and their opponent's goalie's dirt...), plus the UW's powerhouse hockey program is just a lot to overtake for other sports. I know our women's hockey team is a powerhouse, and some of the less popular sports (track & field, etc.) are consistent as heck too, but it's hard to beat a packed KC with ravenous & deafening fans - who actually know what they're talking about.

[hawing]

Maybe we can agree that men's hockey provides the best value among UW-Madison's revenue-producing sports. Because I could get behind that statement, and the non-revenue sports wouldn't be dissed.

 

Like Wisconsin volleyball - which has produced deafening crowds in big matches, and which draws intelligent and well versed fans (not to mention well-behaved - which is a comment not directed at hockey fans). They've been in the top five nationally for average attendance for years, consistently go to the NCAA tournament, and the priciest ticket is $5.00.

 

But sorry, this is about hockey. Drop the puck!

[logan82]

I find it an incredibly good deal, because I always get the family 4 packs. 4 tickets for $48.

[TooLiveBrew]

Maybe we can agree that men's hockey provides the best value among UW-Madison's revenue-producing sports.

 

Yea, this is what I was getting at, I guess. Sorry for (unintentionally, yet ignorantly) dissing the non-rev. sports. http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/embarassed.gif

 

And I didn't mean to imply other sports' fans don't know their stuff, just that the hockey fans are really, really well-informed. http://static.yuku.com//domainskins/bypass/img/smileys/embarassed.gif

[logan82]

I don't think there is much of a casual fan audience for hockey.

[PaulRigdon]

I enjoy chatting with Minnesota fans

Glad you had more to say than just this because no one enjoys chatting with Gopher fans!

I am a huge Gopher fan and it is a pretty awesome atmosphere. The one bowl with no upper deck makes for a very enjoyable watching experience. However the student section sucks! We are split up between two sections across from each other and don't have the rapid fans as the crease creatures of the badgers.

It should be a great season this year. Both bucky and goldy should have strong programs but I think ND is going to run away with the wcha. Which pains me because the souix are my most hated sports team around, more than the cubs!

[SheetsCyYoung04]

I dont have a lot of expectations for this season's team. 3 freshmen D, untested goaltender, and outside of Davies nobody returning who can score. Street is what he is. Gorowsky hasnt been able to stay in the lineup. Ford is a hard shot, but the rest of his offensive game isnt much. Geoffrion showed potential last season, but for the most part was invisible on the offensive end. I was impressed with him when he was on international teams so I hope he steps it up. They cant have worse luck then last season. If they make the tournament great, but Im not expecting it.

[trwi7]

Goaltending is what worries me the most. Even with the horrible offense last year you knew for the most part that Elliott was going to keep them in the game 95% of the time.

 

I like Klubertanz, McBain and Drewiske on defense but I don't see any offense at all. Not much with Grotting, Gorowsky, Street, Mitchell and Ford. Hope Turris can step up as a freshman and score some goals because they'll be tough to come by.

[logan82]

I think Connelly looked good last year in limited duty. I wouldn't count on the freshman for much until at least after Christmas.

[paul253]

Their D should be pretty tough, I think with McBain and Klubertanz.....I forget his name, but they recruited the top freshmen D in the country as well. Connelly should be decent, he got a good chunk of playing time when Elliot was hurt. Just as last season, the offense will determine where they go. Hopefully Turris can come in and not only score goals, but create chances for Geoffrion and Davies.