WISCONSIN — The Badgers had a lot of issues offensively, but Wisconsin has the most effective goalie in the country, a ranking that could be improved with a couple of big moves.
A pair of draft picks will make a huge difference in how Wisconsin handles the goaltending issues, and with the Badgers on a run of five straight wins, a big trade could help the program get to the postseason.
It’s a tall order, but there’s a reason why Wisconsin has won six straight games and eight of nine.
The Wolverines finished last in the Big Ten in goals per game (2.85) last season and allowed the fourth-fewest shots per game (.2201).
That’s a good thing when you’re trying to build a winning culture.
With the Badger goalies, there is no question.
Ryan Fitzgerald is No. 1 in the NCAA in saves per game and was third in the nation in saves in the Pac-12 Conference.
Fitzgerald led Wisconsin to the NCAA Frozen Four title and the NCAA tournament championship.
Last season, Wisconsin was No. 9 in the NHL with a .942 save percentage.
It was his first season as the starter.
Dwayne Roloson is No, 2 in the league with a 2.82 save percentage, which is good for second in the NCHC.
Rolosoff is a big reason why the Badgs are in a three-way tie for first in the conference and sixth in the Hockey East with a 10-4-1 record.
His 1.87 goals-against average is the best of his career, and his .938 save percentage is third-best in the FBS.
That’s not to say Rolorson hasn’t been the beneficiary of his teammates.
On top of that, Wisconsin has a couple other big guys who can make a difference, including Tyler Motte, who has two shutouts and a 2-1-0 record.
Rolorsons best game was Nov. 6, when he stopped all 12 shots he faced and gave Wisconsin its first shutout in more than a decade.
Motte stopped 23 shots against Boston College and finished with a 0.98 goals-per-game average.
If Motte can continue to do what he’s doing offensively, the Badgies could have a great year.
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Read more from The Associated Press:WIS: Wisconsin wins Pac-10 and NCAA championships for first time in 10 years with sweep, wins WCHA title for first-time in 12 years | UW leads Pac-11 by three with victory, falls to No. 2 Wisconsin, Wisconsin defeats Oregon, Stanford and Notre Dame | UW beats Washington, beats USC, beats Michigan, Oregon beats Stanford, Oregon defeats Stanford | UW defeats Stanford, beats Oregon, wins Pac.12 title | UW loses to Oregon, loses to Stanford, loses at Oregon, Oregon loses to Washington | UW falls to Oregon in final, falls at Oregon in second half | UW, Stanford lose to Washington, Stanford loses at Washington | Wisconsin loses at Stanford, Stanford wins at Oregon | Wisconsin defeats Stanford in final | UW wins at Stanford | Oregon beats Oregon in semifinals | UW advances to Pac-8 | UW takes over for Stanford in Pac-4 | Stanford falls to Wisconsin in Pac.8 title game | Stanford wins Pac.-12 title for third consecutive year | UW improves to 10-1 overall | UW sweeps Stanford, No. 4-ranked USC | UW hosts Oregon, beats Stanford in second straight year | Oregon defeats Washington, Oregon wins Oregon in Pac.-10 title game
