Badgers hockey is in a better spot after Mike Hastings took over at the helm. The coaching change has led to the Badgers skyrocketing up the rankings to No. 14, and they’re off to a 5-1-0 start. This marks the best start for Badgers hockey in nearly 20 years, matching what the 2004-05 team put together to start their season.
The players are even starting to get consistent individual recognition, like senior Forward Mathieu De St. Phalle. The Big Ten awarded him one of the Three Stars of the Week for his performance in the two games against Michigan State.
🏒 #B1GHockey Three Stars 🏒
⭐️ @GopherHockey‘s Justen Close, G
⭐️⭐️ @umichhockey‘s Jake Barczewski, G
⭐️⭐️⭐️ @BadgerMHockey‘s Mathieu De St. Phalle, F➕ https://t.co/vFk2oxp2Ve pic.twitter.com/bRbNS9ZSv6
— Big Ten Hockey (@B1GHockey) October 24, 2023
An Impressive Badgers Hockey Performance vs. Michigan State
The Badgers won both games against No. 17 Michigan State, which helped them jump into the top 20. Leading the charge was Forward Mathieu De St. Phalle with his three assists and power-play goal in the two games against Michigan State.
Two of those assists came at critical times for Badgers hockey, with one sealing a lead and another to move ahead. He scored his goal to tie the game early on in the second of the two games the teams played.
A power play tip courtesy of @mattydsp28 to get the Badgers on the board! 🫡
🍎: Ben Dexheimer & David Silye pic.twitter.com/CayXfVazJ4
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 21, 2023
A look at Laatsch’s game-winner ⚡️
🍎: Mike Vorlicky & Mathieu De St. Phalle pic.twitter.com/jwv39uIHg1
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 21, 2023
On the season, the Forward has garnered seven points for Badgers hockey while tallying two in back-to-back games against Michigan State. He’s an important piece to the puzzle for Mike Hastings and Badgers hockey, as he’s in the middle of everything that they’re doing on the ice. He leads the team with his five assists and also leads the team in points with seven. His plus-6 is also second on the team, right behind Joe Palodichuk.
Mathieu De St. Phalle captured his first award this season and has won three Stars of the Week awards from the Big Ten. All three have come as the third star. Kyle McLellan won the Third Star back on October 10th, 2023.
He joined Minnesota’s goaltender Justen Close and Michigan’s goaltender Jake Barczewski as the other Three Stars of the Week recipients.
