59 Teams in 59 Days Wisconsin

The 59 Teams in 59 Days tour is on the second to last day of the tour. And what a way to do so with a trip to Madison, Wisconsin where the defending National Champions, the Wisconsin Badgers are featured.

Head Coach Mike Eaves and the Badgers started 18-2-2 in its first 22 games, then goaltender Brian Elliott got injured and the Badgers finished the regular season 5-8-1. After that the Badgers found their identity and won nine out of their last 10, en route to their first National Championship since 1990.

So how will the Badgers do this year? Everyone is wondering if they have enough despite their two huge losses in the offseason in the teams leading scorer Joe Palveski, and the Frozen Four's most outstanding player Robbie Earl. But with Senior goaltender Brian Elliott staying in school, the Badgers should be up there in contention for another National title.

On offense the Badgers lose all of their top five scorers. This means there will be no offense right? Well if you think that way, then youre wrong. The Badgers still have a ton of talent and they will see if players like Sophomore Jack Skille, and Senior Ross Carlson shine this year. Also look out for Sophomore Ben Street who scored 10 goals last season. Also lookout for Freshman Mike Davies. Although he might not have the size, Davies has plenty of speed. Expect him to make an immediate impact on this team.

Defensively the only loss for the Badgers is Tom Gilbert. Kyle Klubertanz, Jeff Likens, Joe Piskula, Davis Drewiske, Josh Engel, and Matt Olinger all who played last year on defense will return this year. Also lookout for Freshmen Nigel Williams another one of the US NTDP players that was picked in the draft. He has got the size at 6"5 to hammer people. Lookout for him in the next few years.

Right now goaltender Brian Elliott could not be any happier. After posting a 27-5-3 record, with eight shutouts, Elliott became a Hobey Baker Finalist. Expect Elliott to be one of the best goaltenders again as the Badgers look to repeat.

Overall, this team is capable of going back to the Frozen Four and possibly winning it. With Minnesota, and North Dakota expected to be up their in the National Rankings from the WCHA this year, the Badgers are looking elsewhere. They will look to be the third consecutive team to repeat, all of them coming from the WCHA the last few years (Minnesota 2002-2003 and Denver 2004-2005).

The predicted ceiling for Wisconsin is first in the WCHA, while their gutter is third.

Tommorrow the last team on the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour, the Yale Bulldogs will be featured. After hiring a new coach, the Bulldogs will look to rebuild quickly. Can new head coach Keith Allain get enough out of his talent to improve immediatley? Or will Yale be the laughing stock of the ECACHL again? Find out tommorrow as the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour concludes in New Haven, Connecticut.