Wisconsin could not have asked for a better start to the WCHA playoffs, dominating Minnesota State in the two-game series sweep this weekend.
The Badgers outscored the Mavericks 11-0 between the two games, dominating in all aspects of play, but it was UW’s offense that stole the show. Saturday night featured a 4-0 Wisconsin victory where the Badgers got off to a quick start thanks to freshman Katy Josephs.
Josephs scored the game’s first goal about one minute into the action. She found herself on a breakaway, and to her pleasant surprise, snuck the puck pass the goalie on a deep wrist shot.
“Blair passed the puck up to me and I was trying to get a shot on net, and I fought through their [defensemen] and it ended up going in,” Josephs said.
Josephs plays on the Badgers’ second line alongside Brittany Ammerman and Hilary Knight, a line that’s been slightly overlooked given the consistent success of the first line.
“It felt really good to finally connect with my line mates,” Josephs said. “I mean it’d been awhile since we’d scored; it was nice to get that on there.”
Josephs’ goal proved crucial in setting the tone of the game for the Badgers offensively, as UW recorded two more first period goals on its way to victory.
“Well it was a good way to start,” head coach Mark Johnson said. “Obviously you know we had talked about things prior to the game, talked about the first five or six shifts trying to set the pace and the tone and by her scoring. It was a big way to set the tone early on.”
As efficient as Wisconsin’s offense played Saturday, it wasn’t nearly as prolific as Friday night. Senior forward Brooke Ammerman recorded four goals Friday, as the Badgers dominated Minnesota State in a 7-0 victory.
After ending the regular season in disappointing fashion with a loss to Ohio State on senior day, the Badgers were glad to replace that memory with a two-game sweep in the first round of the WCHA playoffs.
“I mean our game this weekend really showed what happened against Ohio [State] was a fluke and it shouldn’t have happened,” Josephs said. “And it’s really good to get that [win] under our belt, so we have the confidence going ahead.”
UW goalie Alex Rigsby complimented the Badgers’ offensive attack this weekend with two shutouts, but enjoyed the offensive production and likes the direction the team is headed.
“I think it’s key for our team to get some confidence, and it was really nice to see some other girls score tonight,” Rigsby said.
Captain Hilary Knight, typically a top scoring threat for Wisconsin, did not manage to score any goals against MSU, but she remained pleased with the Badgers’ offensive production.
“I think the big thing for us tonight was we moved it really well on our power play and just to get some different looks and some good looks at the net was good for our power play,” Knight said. “We’re happy where we are right now, obviously 11 goals going in. We’ve got a lot of energy going into Friday against Duluth.”
After four national championships in six seasons, Johnson boasts plenty of postseason success. He’s pleased with the Badgers success in the first weekend of playoff action, but remains focused on the road ahead.
“I was happy with our effort,” Johnson said. “When you don’t give up a goal over the weekend, your chances to win are pretty good. So a lot of good things come out of it and now you move forward. Forget about what happened and get ready for practice Monday and get ready to play Duluth Friday afternoon.”
