Blog: Eaves sticks with Bennett, alters lineup

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There are three WCHA teams the Wisconsin men's hockey team hasn't swept at the Kohl Center since Mike Eaves became coach in 2002-03.

Minnesota is one -- Denver and Colorado College are the others -- and the Badgers can cross the Gophers off the list tonight.

On the heels of a 4-2 victory in the series opener Friday, Eaves made some significant changes to his lineup.

Most notable is his decision to come back with junior goaltender Brett Benett instead of continuing with a rotation that includes junior Scott Gudmandson. Eaves spoke glowingly of Bennett's timely saves and competitiveness after the series opener, which should have been a signal of sorts that he might go this route.

The other major move saw senior left winger John Mitchell yanked from the lineup. He shared the team lead in goals last season with 15, but his effort and intensity has been lacking at times during the first seven games.

Eaves moved freshman Derek Lee from right wing to left wing on a line with senior center and tri-captain Ben Street and moved senior Ben Grotting from the fourth line to the right side on that unit.

Meanwhile, juniors Patrick Johnson and Podge Turnbull returned to the lineup, working on the fourth line alongside senior Aaron Bendickson. That means junior Sean Dolan also is a healthy scratch.

It's worth noting that Johnson and Turnbull have had strong outings against Minnesota in the past. Johnson has two goals and five points in eight career games, while Turnbull has three goals and four points in seven career outings.

The UW lineup:

F Andy Bohmbach-Blake Geoffrion-Craig Smith

F Lee-Street-Grotting

F Jordy Murray-Derek Stepan-Michael Davies

F Johnson-Bendickson-Turnbull

D Brendan Smith-John Ramage

D Cody Goloubef-Justin Schultz

D Jake Gardiner-Ryan McDonagh

G Bennett

The Minnesota lineup:

F Mike Hoeffel-Jordan Schroder-Nico Sacchetti

F Tony Lucia-Mike Carman-Taylor Matson

F Joe Miller-Patrick White-Zach Budish

F Josh Birkholz-Nick Larson-Ryan Flynn

D Aaron Ness-David Fischer

D Cade Fairchild-Brian Schack

D Kevin Wehrs-Seth Helgeson

G Alex Kangas

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