INSIDE MEN'S HOCKEY BY PAUL CAPOBIANCO @BadgerMHockey
Scoring in bunches Mersch among nation's leaders in goals
O
ne of the more remark- able numbers coming
out of the first 10 games of Wisconsin's season are the eight goals junior forward Michael Mersch has posted. On a team that has scored 18 times, the Park Ridge, Ill., native has put home nearly 45 percent of the goals. That 0.80 goals-per-game mark has Mersch first among all WCHA skaters and ranked third in the country in the category. Seven of his eight goals have come during UW's eight conference games, put- ting him at a 0.88 goals-per- game average, which ranks second in the WCHA. A fourth-round draft pick
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of the Los Angeles Kings, Mersch does most of his damage around the net, but there is one key area where he continues to make strides. "He's playing the best
hockey of his college ca- reer," said head coach Mike Eaves. "I really think that he is skating better. That is the one thing Michael has been told he doesn't do very well, but he continues to work at it. He is being rewarded for that."
Walsh rejoins Badger family » Once a walk-on defense- man who won the NCAA championship with the Badgers in 1983,
SCHEDULE (1-7-2, 1-5-2) Colorado College
Last Five Nov. 3
Nov. 16 at #3 Minnesota Nov. 17 at #3 Minnesota Friday Minnesota State Saturday Minnesota State
This Week Nov. 30 at Denver Dec. 1 at Denver
Next Five Dec. 7 Michigan Tech Dec. 8 Michigan Tech
L, 0-3 T, 2-2 L, 1-3 L, 2-4 L, 2-4
9 p.m. 8 p.m.
7 p.m. 7 p.m.
Dec. 13 Alabama Huntsville 7 p.m. Dec. 14 Alabama Huntsville 7 p.m. Jan. 4
at Alaska Anchorage 10 p.m. Matt
Walsh was tabbed last Friday as interim assistant coach. The long- time USA Hockey Central District Coach-in-Chief gives the Badgers three coaches who have won NCAA titles at Wisconsin. Eaves won the 1977 title, while assistant coach Gary Shuchuk captured the 1990 crown.
