(left) Blake Geoffrion is one of the Badgers best forwardsFrom: Wisconsin State Journal
by Andy Baggot
In an atmosphere where so much can happen in the time it takes to twitch, stopping to think can lead to all sorts of problems.
But that's exactly what Blake Geoffrion, the left winger and junior co-captain for the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team, did more than once last week.
He was probably not alone.
In season-opening games at Boston College and New Hampshire, Geoffrion found himself on the verge of violating the latest point of emphasis from the NCAA rulebook.
Whether it was using his stick to get leverage on an opponent in the corner, or extending his arms to prevent a forechecker from getting past him on the rush, Geoffrion said he had to pause for a second and think about old habits and new consequences.
"I'm in the corner with a guy, thinking like, 'Oh, shoot, I can't do that,' " Geoffrion said.
The rule in question relates to protecting the puck carrier and ensuring his ability to move more freely on the ice. If the arms or hands of the puck carrier are impeded — whether along the boards or in open ice — penalties will be called.
The fact the NCAA has added an extra pair of eyes to the ice — two referees and two linesmen are now being used — means players get away with less.
The Badgers found that out quickly. Half of the 24 penalties they took on the East Coast trip — a 5-4 loss to defending national champion BC and a 5-1 setback to the defending Hockey East Association champion Wildcats — could be traced to the new rule.
"Any stick close up to the hands, they're going to call it," UW junior defenseman Jamie McBain reported. "If it looks close to a trip, they're going to call it. It's definitely an eye-opener."
The learning process continues tonight and Saturday night at Magness Arena when the Badgers open Western Collegiate Hockey Association play against No. 4 Denver.
UW coach Mike Eaves welcomes the point of emphasis, which brings the major college game closer in form to the NHL. But a prolonged adjustment period is expected because techniques and tactics that worked before won't fly now.
"It's going to be a whole lot of time before we get constant at it,'' Eaves said, throwing out Christmas as a potential goal. "I hope it's sooner or later." [rest of article]
But that's exactly what Blake Geoffrion, the left winger and junior co-captain for the University of Wisconsin men's hockey team, did more than once last week.
He was probably not alone.
In season-opening games at Boston College and New Hampshire, Geoffrion found himself on the verge of violating the latest point of emphasis from the NCAA rulebook.
Whether it was using his stick to get leverage on an opponent in the corner, or extending his arms to prevent a forechecker from getting past him on the rush, Geoffrion said he had to pause for a second and think about old habits and new consequences.
"I'm in the corner with a guy, thinking like, 'Oh, shoot, I can't do that,' " Geoffrion said.
The rule in question relates to protecting the puck carrier and ensuring his ability to move more freely on the ice. If the arms or hands of the puck carrier are impeded — whether along the boards or in open ice — penalties will be called.
The fact the NCAA has added an extra pair of eyes to the ice — two referees and two linesmen are now being used — means players get away with less.
The Badgers found that out quickly. Half of the 24 penalties they took on the East Coast trip — a 5-4 loss to defending national champion BC and a 5-1 setback to the defending Hockey East Association champion Wildcats — could be traced to the new rule.
"Any stick close up to the hands, they're going to call it," UW junior defenseman Jamie McBain reported. "If it looks close to a trip, they're going to call it. It's definitely an eye-opener."
The learning process continues tonight and Saturday night at Magness Arena when the Badgers open Western Collegiate Hockey Association play against No. 4 Denver.
UW coach Mike Eaves welcomes the point of emphasis, which brings the major college game closer in form to the NHL. But a prolonged adjustment period is expected because techniques and tactics that worked before won't fly now.
"It's going to be a whole lot of time before we get constant at it,'' Eaves said, throwing out Christmas as a potential goal. "I hope it's sooner or later." [rest of article]
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