Not many hockey teams would consider a top-ten overall ranking and a second place spot in the WCHA a disappointment, but when you’re talking about Wisconsin women’s hockey, the same rules don’t apply.
One of the most dominant programs in women’s collegiate hockey has not overwhelmed the competition like it has in the past, posting a 13-7-3 record.
The Badgers stumbled out of the gate, losing three of their first six contests, but the 2009-10 season has presented some unique challenges the team has worked to overcome.
Head coach Mark Johnson was named coach of the U.S. National Olympic Team, leaving Tracey DeKeyser to take over as interim head coach at UW.
But Johnson wasn’t the only Badger leaving to prepare for the 2010 Olympic games. Forwards Hilary Knight and Meghan Duggan, two talented players on the Olympic roster, took the year off to represent their country with Team USA.
Knight and Duggan’s absence has surely been felt, especially when the pair came to Madison for an exhibition game and dismantled the Badgers as members of Team USA.
The duo combined for four points on one goal (scored in the first period by Knight) and three assists.
The defending national champions have gone through a transition year with so many contributors moving on to the Olympic team or leaving due to graduation.
Still, the largest transition has occurred in net, where Alannah McCready and Becca Ruegsegger have attempted to replace two-time All-American Jessie Vetter.
Both have performed at a high level, especially McCready who has an impressive .935 save percentage, but Ruegsegger has the edge with 142 starts.
With steady play from their two goaltenders, the Badgers have relied on forwards Brooke Ammerman and Mallory Deluce to carry the scoring load.
Ammerman leads the team in shots with over 100 (20 more than any other player), and she has 14 goals to show for it. Deluce has chipped in with nine goals of her own.
Wisconsin will need Ammerman and Deluce’s scoring to continue as the Badgers head into the stretch run of their 2009-10 season hoping to secure an NCAA berth.