When the No. 5 Wisconsin women's hockey team takes the rink this weekend against the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Badgers will look to jumpstart their offense and start its first winning streak of the season.
Both teams are coming off of meetings with the Bemidji State Beavers. Wisconsin (2-2-0 WCHA, 2-2-0 overall) split a pair of games with Bemidji State the weekend of Oct. 10-11. The Beavers shut out the Badgers 1-0 in game one, but Wisconsin clawed back for a 3-1 victory in game two. The Badgers enjoyed a much needed bye last weekend.
Ohio State (1-2-1, 1-2-3) is coming off of a pair of victories against the Beavers last weekend. The Buckeyes won game one of their series 5-2, but Bemidji State forced game two into overtime, and stole victory in a 2-1 shootout.
In the early stages of the 2009-10 campaign, Wisconsin has been a Jekyll-and-Hyde team of sorts. The Badgers have split both of their series this season, outscoring opponents 6-to-1 in victory—but getting shut out 3-to-0 in their two losses. Last season the Badgers scored an impressive 28 goals in their first four games.
But Wisconsin has faced tougher competition this year in North Dakota and Bemidji State, compared to last year's first two series against Quinnipiac and Syracuse.
""They've been getting scoring chances, it's just the execution of that final finishing moment that's been something that's kind of eluded us,"" head coach Tracey DeKeyser.
Senior forward Jasmine Giles noted that the team is getting 35 to 45 shots-on-goal each game, and needs the puck to bounce their way.
DeKeyser has been forced to completely readjust the team's offense this year, after losing players to graduation and the U.S. Olympic team.
""You have to recognize that we have a whole different lineup out there, and the veterans have different roles,"" said DeKeyser.
Giles admitted a minor sense of urgency in the team this weekend.
""Definitely, we want to come out and win an entire series,"" said Giles.
Despite the issues on the offensive side of the puck, DeKeyser wants her team to focus on defense against Ohio State.
""We're just focusing mostly in matching up against their special teams and working on face-offs this week and defensively, just being strong"" said DeKeyser.
Wisconsin freshman goalie Becca Ruegsegger will get the start Friday night against Ohio State. Ruegsegger is competing against senior goalie Alannah McCready for the team's starting job.
Both Ruegsegger and McCready see their competition as a spirited, yet friendly rivalry.
""It's kind of a support system,"" said Ruegsegger. ""Even though we're competing for a spot, we're also supporting each other.""
McCready has 53 saves while allowing three goals, while Ruegsegger has 42 saves but has allowed only one goal.
""If I'm not playing the first game, I need to start mentally preparing for the second game,"" said McCready. ""Yeah, it is a competition, but one person can't play every game, so it's actually good that we can split these games and still hopefully be successful.""
The Badgers and Buckeyes face off this Friday and Saturday at the Kohl Center, with the puck dropping each night at 7.
