Denver vs. Wisconsin-Madison

[Zamboni Guy]

The fourth seeded Denver Pioneers will host the seventh seeded University of Wisconsin-Madison Badgers this weekend (March 9-11) in the First Round of the WCHA Playoffs. The Pioneers enter the three game series with a record of 21-13-4 Overall and 13-11-4 in the WCHA while the Badgers are 15-17-4 Overall and 12-13-3 in the WCHA. The two teams met four times during the regular season with Denver sweeping the Badgers in Madison (2-0, 4-3) and then splitting in Denver (3-1 Pioneers, 4-0 Badgers). The winner of this best of three series will advance to the 2007 Red Baron Final Five to be played March 15-17 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul. Any thoughts or predictions in this playoff match-up?

[Blue Breeze]

Should be 2 or 3 low scoring games. Two teams with similar styles and good goaltending. I'll take the Pioneers because they have a lot more offensive talent. Denver in 3.

[Zamboni Guy]

I would agree that this will be a low-scoring series with the defensive styles of both Denver and Wisconsin. The Badgers best shot of moving on to the Final Five is a hot Brian Elliot, which could very well happen, I think he could be the best goalie in the country. The Pioneers; however, will be looking to avenge a tough first round loss to UMD last season that ended their run of back-to-back National Championships.

I'll take the Pioneers in three.

[Zamboni Guy]

Wisconsin - 2
Denver - 2

END OF SECOND

[Zamboni Guy]

Wisconsin - 2
Denver - 2

END OF SECOND

SHOTS

UW - 27
DU - 16

[Zamboni Guy]

University of Wisconsin - 3
Denver University - 2

FINAL

University of Wisconsin leads series 1-0

[east hockey]

University of Wisconsin - 3
Denver University - 2

FINAL

University of Wisconsin leads series 1-0

Attaway Bucky!

Lee

[Blue Breeze]

Sweep for the BADgers. A hot Elliot is a scary thought going into the Final 5, if he carries them they could find themselves in a position to defend their crown with an auto-bid Broadmoor Trophy win.