The Pioneer Hockey team heads into a conference game against the tough Wisconson Badgers at Magness Arena Jan. 31 at 7:35 p.m. and Feb. 1 at 7:05 p.m. The Pioneers don’t plan to change much in their game plan but hope to get back into the hunt at the top of the WCHA point standings.

In a competitive WCHA, the team that wins the first game of a two-game series can expect a much tougher battle the second night, as was the case last week against St. Cloud State.

“We weren’t as sharp in the first period and that led to a few mistakes that gave them an early cushion,” said assistant coach Seth Appert.

Pioneers’ captain Aaron MacKenzie was named WCHA defensive player of the week for his five-point weekend, which included three goals and two assists against St. Cloud.

“Aaron MacKenzie along with Kevin Doell are two key factors in making the power play work and both had very strong weekends,” said Appert.

On Friday night, the scoring began only 12 minutes into the game. Just over six minutes later, MacKenzie scored on the power play, to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead after the first. Two more goals in the third period wrapped up the win and the shutout for Wade Dubielewicz.

The Saturday game did not go as well for the Pioneers who were down 3-1 after the first period.

The second period saw a ferocious comeback by the Pioneers, who scored two goals to tie the game. In the end the team came up short, despite a goal in the last minute of the third period. Unfortunately that final goal did not leave enough time for DU to score again and tie the game at 5-5.