After earning two hard-fought wins against Minnesota State last weekend, the top-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team (8-1-1, 4-1-1 WCHA) faces an even stiffer test against No. 6 Minnesota (5-2-1, 3-2-1 WCHA) this weekend at the Kohl Center.
Wisconsin and Minnesota have faced each other 40 times previously, the longest rivalry for UW. The Badgers have gone 9-1-1 against the Gophers since the start of the 2005-06 season.
Minnesota’s confidence is high after beating former No. 1 Minnesota-Duluth last weekend. The Gophers won the first game 3-1 and improved on that performance to beat Duluth 5-1 in the second game.
“They are a great team,” senior forward Jinelle Zaugg said. “We always have fun playing with them, and we are both are pretty classy teams. We are both hard-working, and we go after it. I am excited to play them.”
The Badgers, coming off two come-from-behind victories, are confident in their abilities as well.
“They were good wins,” head coach Mark Johnson said. “We found ways to win. We were up against some hurdles, and we responded.”
After giving up only five goals in their first eight games, Wisconsin let in four goals in two games last weekend. The defense will need to shore up if the Badgers are going to have success against the red hot Gophers.
“We need to be aware of where people are on the ice,” junior goaltender Jessie Vetter said. “A lot of our goals that we have been letting in have been backdoors. We need to be aware of where people are at all times and cut off those passing lanes. I need to stop the initial shot and know my defense will be there for me.”
Minnesota produced eight goals against a tough Bulldogs team last weekend and features some talented forwards. Senior forward Erika McKenzie has scored nine goals in eight games, which is good for third in the nation. McKenzie is joined by senior forward Bobbi Ross and junior forward Gigi Marvin as the top three scoring threats for Minnesota.
“They are going to get the puck to the net and score any way they can,” Vetter said. “We have to be aware at all times, especially when they have their big guns out there in Gigi Marvin and Erika McKenzie.”
“We need to move the puck quickly,” senior defenseman Emily Morris added. “Minnesota has a lot of quick forwards that forecheck really hard, so we need to get the puck out quick, and then go concentrate on offense.”
On offense, the Badgers need their line of Zaugg, Mallory Deluce and Hilary Knight to continue to produce. Zaugg and Knight lead the Badgers with 14 points each and are tied for fourth in the nation in total points. In the past four games, their line has scored nine of the team’s 14 goals.
“It is good to see them playing so well,” Johnson said. “They have had some chemistry the past couple of weekends. They have had opportunities to create scoring chances, and the puck has gone in for them. Hopefully, they will continue to get better, and continue to do the things they have done the past couple weekends.”
Even though this weekend’s series is the biggest challenge to the Badgers’ season thus far, the team is not worried about it.
“They are no different than any other games,” Johnson said. “You have to prepare yourself, irrelevant of who you are playing against. If we play at the top of our game, we are a pretty good hockey club.”
“We are not approaching this week any different than we would any other week,” Morris said. “They are a good team, but we are a good team too.”
