There will be a missing piece to the opening game when University of Wisconsin women's hockey team hosts Quinnipiac University friday at the Kohl Center. For the first time in the last two seasons, there will not be a banner drop before the opening faceoff unveiling Wisconsin's newest national championship.
The Badgers enter this season as the defending national runner up after a 4-0 loss to Minnesota-Duluth in the title game, so this season is instead about regaining the national championship, not defending it.
I think the players might be a little bit hungrier,"" Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson said. ""When you do come a little bit short of your goal, I think you come back with a little bit more hunger.""
Although Wisconsin began practice just six days ago, with an opponent like Quinnipiac, who finished 5-24-5 last season and was outscored 141-57 throughout its campaign, the Badgers should receive valuable game experience without risking a loss this early in the season.
There is reason for optimism in Madison. The Badgers return nine of their top 10 scorers from last season, though they lose their second best scorer in terms of points per game with forward Jinelle Zaugg, who finished out her eligibility last season.
""We bring a lot of kids back from last year's team. We have a lot of kids back on the blue line, obviously our goaltending situation is similar to what it was last year, and up front we've got some depth,"" Johnson said. ""Our younger players are good and so as they get more experience and gain confidence, it should make our team that much stronger.""
The three freshmen, forwards Brooke Ammerman and Carolyne Prevost and defender Brittany Haverstock, are all highly touted recruits and look to further complete this Badger team.
Captaining the squad will be senior center Erika Lawler, a Massachusetts native, who will have some extra motivation this season because the Frozen Four will be played in Boston.
""It would be awesome to end in Boston, make it to the Frozen Four, but we don't want to get too ahead of ourselves, one step at a time, and that's how we've done it every year,"" Lawler said.
It's difficult to not get ahead of oneself when examining the goaltending situation. Senior netminder Jessie Vetter has the strongest resume in college hockey of any goaltender (three Frozen Four appearances and two national championships), and she is confident that the Badgers can have another successful run this season.
""We're always excited to get back, especially when you're coming off a loss to Duluth,"" Vetter said. ""We lost some good players but we have some really good freshman coming in and everyone looked good [in the Red/White scrimmage] so we'll just see how the season goes, and I think it's going to be pretty good.""
Fans can see the new and old Badger skaters Friday and Saturday at 7 P.M. at the Kohl Center.
