The No. 2 Wisconsin women’s hockey team (33-4-2) shut out the Quinnipiac Bobcats this Saturday in the NCAA regional final. 

LaBahn Arena was jam-packed to watch the team’s last home game of the season and celebrate the star-studded senior class. 

Junior forward Kelly Gorbatenko quickly gave fans a reason to cheer when she scored three minutes into the first period. 

The energy in LaBahn erupted, and the team matched their intensity with relentless effort in every new line. Senior Kirsten Simms credited the atmosphere for an extra boost to the team. 

“No matter what the score of the game is or how the game’s going, the crowd always has our back,” Simms said. “It’s something that just feeds the energy on our bench and with our group.”

Simms didn’t wait long to join the scoring party. Three minutes after Gorbentanko’s goal, she blasted a shot off the post on a power play to put Wisconsin up 2-0. 

Freshman Adéla Šapovalivová slotted home a puck to put the Badgers up 3-0 to start the second period. Gorbentanko tallied her second goal at the end of the period to give Wisconsin a 4-goal cushion. 

The Bobcats desperately ramped up their attack to make a late comeback. Nonetheless, goaltender Ava McNaughton and the Wisconsin defense kept the lead safe and allowed only 17 shots on goal. Simms praised McNaughton and the team’s defensive dominance. 

“When you have somebody like Ava McNaughton back there, it’s pretty special,” Simms said. “It’s pretty easy to play in front of.” 

Senior forward Lacy Eden put an exclamation point on the win with an empty net goal halfway through the third. Gorbentanko sealed the victory with her second hat trick of the season to end the game 6-0. 

The whole team took to the ice after the game to hoist their trophy. The senior class took one last bittersweet skate around the arena as the home crowd applauded them. Simms reminisced on the seniors’ final game at LaBahn Arena. 

“There’s been no better place to play the last four years, and to also go to four Frozen Fours together is incredible,” Simms said.

Head coach Mark Johnson became the first women’s hockey coach in NCAA history to hit the 700-win mark. Humble as always, Johnson attributed his success to his coaching staff and players. 

“It’s a group effort, it’s a team effort,” Johnson said. “It’s no different than today, and our team was able to go out and put together one of our better games of the season.”

He commended his entire roster for buying into a team-first mindset. He believes that’s the reason why his squad is competing for a consecutive NCAA title. 

“You could feel the energy on the bench, the communication on the bench was really positive, and it didn’t matter who was on the ice, it didn’t matter who was scoring, it was just about what can I do to help the team win.”

As for the team, they have their sights set on being repeat champs. But just like Johnson, Gorbentanko notes that their selfless attitude is what will push them over the finish line. 

“I’d say we all really want to go back to back, that’s something that’s been on our minds the whole season,” Gorbentanko said. “But there’s not an ounce of selfishness in there, we all want to win, but we know it’s gonna take a group effort, and when everyone’s able to do their role it’s really special.” 

The Badgers head to State College, Pennsylvania, for the NCAA Frozen Four from March 20-22. The team faces No. 3 Penn State on Friday.