Oh Wisconsin! Badgers get first National Championship since 1990

Congratulations to the Wisconsin Badgers for winning the National Championship for the first time since 1990.

Even though the score doesnt show, the Badgers won on mostly every stat in the book including shots on goal and faceoffs. But the most important stat was the 2-1 victory.

Boston College had 19 shots in two periods than only four in the third. The Eagles were 0-4 on the power play and had 0 shots on goal on the Powerplays. Wisconsin was 1-8, they scored the game winning goal on the powerplay when Tom Gilbert got one past BC goaltender Cory Schneider.

Wisconsin might of got lucky at the end with about three seconds left BC hit the post on a shot from the corner in which Wisconsin goaltender Brian Elliott did not even see. But its sometimes to be lucky better than good and that is what happened.

From a 13-23-4 season three seasons ago, the four seniors on this team saw improvement each year leading up to this dream season. Captain Adam Burish, Assistant Captain Tom Gilbert, A.J. Degenhart, and Nick Licari did a good job stepping up as senior leaders.

So what does the future look like for Wisconsin. Well it depends on the fate of Robbie Earl, Brian Elliott, and Joe Pavelski. Now I don't know how many will stay but they are all flight risks. If all three stay for another season then look for the Badgers to be up there in the rankings.

For BC, their future is looking bright as well. Even if Brian Boyle leaves, the Eagles still have a good group of young players led by Mike Brennan, Brett Motherwell, and Cory Schneider. But the Eagles need scoring, especially from Dan Bertram who has not led up to expectations. Expect Schneider to have a better year in net next year.

Thats all for the 2005-2006 season, but its not all for Hockeynuts. In the upcoming weeks I will get as much news as I can from flight risks to tommorrow's top 15 for 2006-2007, and a bracketology coming in the next few days. Also in June there will be the NHL draft. And there will be updates on coaching changes, players leaving, and any other news from the world of college hockey. Stay Tuned.