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Women’s hockey hopes to poison Ivy

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Also by Mike Ackerstein:

Wisconsin hits road for Milwaukee (December 12, 2007)
Heisman pressures could tackle Tebow (December 10, 2007)
Wisconsin's home streak dead at 28 (December 10, 2007)
Poor ball control haunts Badgers (December 10, 2007)
Badgers put on show against Terriers (December 4, 2007)

by Mike Ackerstein

Friday, March 9, 2007

While the talk on campus of No. 1 seeds, conference championships, and rankings at the top of the polls may usually circulate around the men's basketball program, there's another UW team closing in on a national championship and the spotlight.

The No. 1 UW women's hockey team — and the only Badger squad playing at home this weekend — will take center stage as they host an NCAA quarterfinal game against No. 6 Harvard Saturday night at the Kohl Center.

Last year, Wisconsin also earned a first-round home game, but was forced to play at the Capital Center. Having this season's game on campus will offer the Badgers a significant home-ice advantage as they try to advance to the Frozen Four for the second consecutive season.

"We really feed off of it," alternate captain Phoebe Monteleone said of having an energetic crowd. "It's really exciting, and we love it when people come. Last year kind of got us on the radar, and now it's a time for us to showcase who we are as a team."

Whether they win or lose their showcase, this will also mark the final home game for the UW seniors, a bittersweet thought for them.

"It's hard to put into words," senior captain Bobbi-Jo Slusar said. "I guess end strong. That's what I'm hoping for."

For Monteleone, skating for the last time in Madison gives an opportunity to reflect on her time with the program.

"It's pretty special for us; our senior class has come a long way," Monteleone echoed. "This is what we worked for all year, to host an NCAA tournament game in our last game here."

On the other side, Harvard will be doing everything it can to ruin the seniors' final game and send Wisconsin packing early. The Crimson's offense comes into the game averaging 4.30 goals per game, the most prolific offense the Badgers have played all season and good for best in the nation.

In fact, Harvard's team statistics largely mirror those of UW's, as both teams post outstanding numbers in scoring and defense. Leading the Harvard charge is senior Patty Kazmaier finalist and the NCAA's all time leading scorer Julie Chu. A win this weekend for Wisconsin means shutting down Chu without ignoring the rest of her talented teammates.

Wisconsin is quite familiar with Chu, though; coach Mark Johnson coached her in the Four Nation's Cup earlier in the season. In the same tournament, Slusar, playing for Team Canada, got a chance to play against Harvard's leading scorer.

"She's a great player," Slusar said of Chu. "That's just something we have to recognize when she's on the ice, and we have to take it to her."

While Chu certainly has outstanding credentials, the Badgers also understand that they can't play in awe of her.

"There's no doubt how talented she is," Monteleone said. "At the same time she's just another hockey player."

Current Patty Kazmaier Award holder and second-time finalist Sara Bauer won't be paying too much attention to the showcase of her and Chu.

"I think if you get distracted by one-on-one battles you're not doing what you need to do to help the team," Bauer said.

A virtual lock to earn an NCAA tournament bid since the start of the season, this weekend will mark the first time all season for the Badgers when a loss means a certain end to the season. That, along with earning the opportunity to defend their national championship, means that their expectations are high, and there's plenty at stake for the Badgers Saturday.

"There's definitely a need to prove ourselves," Slusar said. "But we're all really energized and fired up and excited. It's going to be a challenge and a hard fought battle; we have to be consistent and positive and solid."

Even though Wisconsin may face added pressure as the defending national champions, the pressure does not fall on the Badgers alone.

"Of course there's pressure," Monteleone said. "But there's just as much on them as there is on us."

With women's hockey's most prestigious award — a trip to the Frozen Four — and a shot at the national championship on the line, there's plenty of pressure to go around.

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