Varsity is the free Official Digital Magazine of Wisconsin Athletics, covering Badgers football, basketball, hockey and more each week.
Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/238868
LUCAS AT LARGE BY MIKE LUCAS // UWBADGERS.COM it means something. These are not exhibitions, these are big games. "I'm not sure about the helmets, but it's just the mystique of that program; the players who have gone through there and the coach who's still there and how good of a coach he still is." The fabled Michigan winged helmet ― which dates back in football to 1938 and the late Fritz Crisler ― became a part of the hockey tradition in late February of 1989. From an historical perspective, most Badgers fans should still have a soft spot in their heart for the Wolverines, sans wings, for two reasons: 1) Robbie Moore and 2) the 1977 NCAA title in Detroit. The 5-foot-5 Moore was an acrobatic, fun-loving Michigan goaltender/magpie. Moore once attempted skating on the ice at the Coliseum in Madison with a giant "I am a Sieve" button only to have the idea nixed by Wolverines head coach Danny Farrell, who saw no humor in it. During games, Moore could usually be found sitting on the cage during extended stoppages of play. He was a UW band favorite, especially after he traded his goalie stick with a band member for a red and white Wisconsin cap. Moore was just a little bit off center, charmingly so. But, then, so was Julian Baretta, who was the Most Outstanding Player of that '77 tournament at the old Olympia. Baretta led the Badgers to overtime victories over New Hampshire and Michigan in the championship game. Steve Alley scored the gamewinner against the Wolverines. Continued from Page 12 14 // VARSITY January 9, 2014 Eaves had three assists and the game winner in the semifinals; a memorable shot from the right faceoff circle that he lifted over the shoulder of an unsuspecting goalie, Dan Magnarelli. Sweet memories are made of these, especially the win over Michigan resulting in the second of Bob Johnson's three national championships at Wisconsin. The Badgers won 37 games that season, including six of seven meetings with the Wolverines. Immediately after the overtime thriller in the title game, the UW center icemen took a deep breath and said, "Both of these games in Detroit were tension-packed and it was a good experience to go through because it's the type of thing you're going to see in life. "When we went into overtime with Michigan, we had the confidence we would win because we had already been through so many overtimes. We just believed in ourselves. The fear of losing is there, but you shut it out." The speaker? Eaves. While he's not interested in dwelling in the past ― he'll shut it out, rightly so ― you should feel good about recycling some old memories this weekend when Michigan and Wisconsin take the first steps in renewing their rivalry. It's long overdue.