Report: Eddie Wittchow likely to play vs. Northern Michigan on Friday

Eddie Wittchow appears ready to rejoin the Wisconsin lineup as the Badgers head to Green Bay this weekend for a two-game non-conference series against Northern Michigan.

According to a report from the Wisconsin State Journal, Wittchow skated in Thursday's practice with the Badgers in a regular colored jersey. Injured players wear yellow no-contact jersey's, but apparently Wittchow wasn't wearing one in the pre-series skate at the Resch Center.

Looks like Wittchow will be good to go for #Badgers vs. Northern Michigan. Skating at practice, minus yellow jersey, paired with Ford.

— Andy Baggot (@AndyBaggotWSJ) October 16, 2014

Wittchow was injured in a collision on Friday in a season-opening 1-0 loss to Alaska. Forward Shawn Hochhausen was carrying the puck through the neutral zone when Wittchow stepped up to attempt contact. Unfortunately for Wittchow, he took the brunt of the force, ending up on his back.

After a stoppage, Wittchow was helped back to the bench by athletic trainer Andy Hrodey. Wittchow's legs looked like rubber, and he was clearly in a daze. He did not return to action in the game and was not in the lineup on Saturday.

Fellow defenseman Tim Davison was also suffered a head injury last weekend, and he is out indefinitely. Head coach Mike Eaves said this week on "The Badger Hockey Digest" that Davison was able to attend classes this week, which was a positive sign for a player with a head injury.

With Wittchow projected to be in the lineup and Davison out, expect Wisconsin's defensive pairings to match up Kevin Schulze and Jack Dougherty, Chase Drake and Jake Linhart, and Wittchow and Keegan Ford.

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