A few minutes into her reasoned overview of the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team, Becca Ruegsegger unearthed a piece of analytical gold.

A freshman goaltender, Ruegsegger was talking about the personal challenge of having to step into the gaping void created by the departure of Jessie Vetter. All Vetter did during four years with the Badgers is play in four NCAA championship games -- winning three -- as well as set every meaningful record on the books and win the Patty Kazmaier Award as the top women's player in the land.

Ruegsegger, who's started four of the first six games, was asked how one goes about removing oneself from such a shadow.

"It's kind of how you look at it," she said with an omnipresent smile. "You can look at it as a shadow or you can look at it as motivation, as just a great role model to look at and try and be like."

In two sentences, Ruegsegger brought perspective to a situation that many find hard to comprehend.

From the outside looking in, UW is a sad caricature of its iconic self as it prepares for a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series with unbeaten rival Minnesota Friday and Sunday at the Kohl Center. Faceoff for both games is 2:07 p.m.

The defending NCAA champion Badgers were picked to win the league title, but are off to their worst start in program history (3-3).

UW has already been shut out twice, something that hasn't happened since the 2003-04 season. North Dakota had lost 25 straight in the series until its 2-0 win in the season opener Oct. 2. Bemidji State was winless in 30 meetings against the Badgers (0-28-2) until its 1-0 victory Oct. 10.

Meanwhile, the UW power play, which converted at a school-record 31 percent last season, has opened the season 1-for-33 (3.0).

The knee-jerk reaction from some has been to write off this season.

The Badgers not only lost six decorated seniors, they loaned popular coach Mark Johnson and two elite underclassmen, wingers Meghan Duggan and Hilary Knight, to Team USA for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

As if interim coach Tracey DeKeyser didn't have enough to deal with, arguably her top freshman, winger Briana Decker, suffered a broken arm during a two-goal performance against North Dakota on Oct. 3 and isn't expected back until late November.

But those in the UW dressing room, old and young alike, like the chemistry and appreciate the adversity for what it is.

"I think people are getting a little more fire under their butts," senior goaltender Alannah McCready said.

Part of it came to life last Saturday when the Badgers rallied for a 5-3 win over Ohio State and a split of their WCHA series. It continued this week with the realization that the Gophers (8-0 overall) have started fast despite an Olympic exodus of their own.

If UW can keep making progress until Decker comes back and highly regarded two-sport freshmen -- sisters Alev and Derya Kelter -- make the switch from soccer, the current pains should subside.

"I think we're molding really well," Ruegsegger said. "Yeah, we might be having some bumps along the road in the beginning, but I really think we're really going to come together as a team and play well."

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