Hockey, perhaps more than any other college sport, is a game where attrition of depth can have harder long-term effects.
So why is the University of Wisconsin, which has sent three top-shelf goaltenders, a premier defenseman and a handful of quality forwards to the NHL, off to one of its better starts?
``The fact that they've had the ability to play four lines has been a tremendous plus for them,'' said Paul Braun, who, in his 25th season broadcasting UW hockey, has been witness to the Badgers (7-1) getting off to their best start since the 1989-90 NCAA champions began 9-1.
``What's happening in college hockey is there's not as many players available, so not as many teams can go four lines deep as Wisconsin can,'' said Braun, noting players either leave school early (see Jim Carey) or go directly from the juniors to the pros.
Braun, who does the play-by-play for the Badgers on WIBA (1310 AM) alongside color analyst Bill Brophy, also points out a stingy defense, excellent goaltending and superior speed have helped UW click entering this weekend's College Hockey Showcase.
The sixth-ranked Badgers are at top-ranked Michigan State (today, 6:05 p.m.) and at Michigan (Sunday, 3:05 p.m.), which is just on the outside of the Top 10 poll. Coming off their second straight sweep, this weekend sets up another big set of games next week against third-ranked and defending NCAA champion North Dakota at the Dane County Coliseum. UW lost, 2-1, to Michigan State in the final of the Ice Breaker Cup.
``The next four games will tell you about the ability of Wisconsin,'' Braun said. ``It will really give you a gauge of where they stand on a national level.''
Braun feels another reason for the Badgers' success is coach Jeff Sauer, who needs four more victories to move past Michigan Tech's John McInnes (575 wins, 1956-82) and into fourth place on the NCAA's winningest coaches list. Four more victories will also make Sauer the winningest coach in WCHA history.
``I think sometimes Jeff is underappreciated at Wisconsin,'' said Braun, pointing out the two NCAA titles and the fact that Sauer holds most of the UW coaching records. ``He has had a great career at Wisconsin and I don't think people have appreciated that like they should.''
In `The Front Row'
WNNO (900 AM), an all-sportstalk radio station in Wisconsin Dells, begins its first local call-in show next week.
``The Front Row,'' hosted by Rich Robertson, will air Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday's debut show will feature a chat with Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive lineman Jason Maniecki, a former Wisconsin Dells High School and UW athlete.
More than football
The show originally was slated just for the football season. But ``Football Friday,'' a 2 1/2 -hour talk show which airs at 2 p.m. Fridays on WHIT (1550 AM), has grown in popularity.
Because of that, officials at The Team have extended the run of the show -- co-hosted by Mike Heller and Joe Hecht -- until the end of the college basketball season -- and are looking for a new name.
If you've got a new name, call during the show (281-1550) or the station (271-6611).
Changing channels
NBC pulled a switcheroo for Sunday's NFL telecasts: Originally, it was going to be the New York Jets-Buffalo game at noon followed by figure skating. But the network recently informed WMTV (Ch. 15) that the Madison affiliate would have the doubleheader of Indianapolis-New England at noon and Miami-Oakland at 3 p.m. . . . Don't think that CBS was crying over Florida State's loss and, therefore, surrender of the co-No. 1 ranking in college football. CBS, which has the Orange Bowl on Jan. 2, receives a $5 million rebate if the No. 1 team is not involved. Michigan is No. 1 in both polls and plays Washington State in the Rose Bowl on Jan. 1. The Orange might pit Nos. 2 and 3 in Nebraska and Tennessee, pending both teams' results this weekend.
Questions, comments or gripes? Call me at (608) 252-6177 or drop me a line
at P.O. Box 8058, Madison, Wis. 53708.
