After the Badgers ousted RIT, 8-1, in the NCAA National Semifinal game Thursday evening, Wisconsin (28-10-4) finds itself in the national title game Saturday at 6 p.m. CT, where the squad will square off against the Boston College Eagles (28-10-3).
In Wisconsin's semifinal game, seven different Badgers tallied a goal, and junior blueliner Brendan Smith (Mimico, Ontario) tied a tournament record by notching five assists. The Badgers were firing on all cylinders in the game, having outshot RIT, 37-14, at game's end. Wisconsin also capitalized on nearly half of its power-play opportunities.
Defensively, junior net minder Scott Gudmandson (Sherwood Park, Alberta) was a star in the nets for Wisconsin. Turning away all but one RIT attempt, his record climbed to 20-4-4 on the season to lead the Cardinal and White. As a team, the Badgers were relentless on defense, as they only allowed eight shots in the final two periods combined and halted three of RIT's four power-play chances.
Wisconsin's high-powered offense and unyielding defense will need to be just as sharp in the championship game against BC. Having scored 16 points in its last two games, Boston College has proven it can light up the scoreboard as well. Led by sophomore leading scorer Cam Atkinson (28-23=51), the Eagles enter the championship on a 12-game unbeaten streak.
Boston College is no stranger to the Badgers when it comes to national championship games. Back in the Badgers' 2006 National Title campaign, Wisconsin bested BC, 2-1, to bring the title back to Madison.
Since that game, the schools have battled three other times, with the Eagles coming out victorious in all three contests.
Wisconsin heads into the national title game having lost only five times since the calendar turned to 2010. This is thanks in large part to the prolific offensive production by the Badgers. Wisconsin is the only team in the country to boast four 50-or-more point scorers. The four scorers all find themselves in the top-13 in the nation in terms of points-per-game.