Taking Another Look At K’Andre Miller And The Badgers
The Badgers have had an up and down season thus far. Some of their top players haven’t played like it, and they haven’t been getting good starts to games. This past weekend they took on the Michigan Wolverines, and another Rangers prospect, 2019 seventh-round pick, Eric Ciccolini. Before getting into the games, I would like to make note that Ciccolini notched his first career goal for the Wolverines in the tilt against the Badgers on Sunday. Now let’s get to the games.
Saturday 11/30 VS. Michigan
On Saturday night against the Wolverines, the Badgers came out a bit sluggish again. They were a bit sloppy in their own end, and could not generate much offensively. The Badgers took a penalty early in the first period, that led to a goal from Philadelphia Flyers 2019 first-round pick Cam York for the Wolverines. The period ended with the Badgers starting to find their feet, but the score remained 1-0 after one.
To start the second period, the Badgers looked a lot better, until they took another penalty roughly seven minutes into the period. The penalty to Ryder Donovan led to the second PP goal for the Wolverines. Facing a 2-0 deficit, the Badgers got it together. Just four minutes later, the Badgers cut the lead in half with a Dylan Holloway goal. In the final two minutes of the period, the Badgers’ hard work paid off, as Wyatt Kalynuk tied it up for the Badgers.
After gaining some serious momentum in the second period, the Badgers came out flying in the third period. For most of the period, it was a hard-fought battle, but it wasn’t until Rangers prospect K’Andre Miller scored with about seven minutes left in the game to give the Badgers a 3-2 lead, and eventually the win. The Badgers fought hard Saturday night, and got a well deserved win.
Sunday 12/1 VS. Michigan
After a well-fought win Saturday night, the Badgers took on the Wolverines again Sunday. The Badgers came out and let up an early goal to Rangers prospect Eric Ciccolini, as mentioned before.
From the start, it felt like a night the Badgers just didn’t have it. After falling behind 1-0 in the first, the Badgers found themselves on a PP early in the second period, with a chance to tie the game. Instead, Luke Morgan of the Wolverines scored a shorthanded goal and increased the Michigan lead to 2-0. Heading into the third period, the Badgers found themselves fighting for a goal. It wasn’t until late in the third period that Cole Caufield cut the Wolverine lead in half with an assist from K’Andre Miller. The Badgers were not able to get the tying goal in regulation and fell short 3-1 due to a late power-play goal from the Wolverines.
The Badgers are back at it this weekend against Michigan State for two games. These will be the last two games before the break heading into the World Junior Championships. Miller, Caufield, and Turcotte are near-certain locks to make the US team.
Through 16 games:
Alex Turcotte (Kings) – 14 games – 6 goals, 9 assists – 15 points
Cole Caufield (Canadiens) – 16 games – 10 goals, 8 assists – 18 points
K’Andre Miller (Rangers) – 16 games – 6 goals, 5 assists – 11 points
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