For the past couple weeks, few doubted the Wisconsin women's hockey team would claim the WCHA regular season championship. But that is only the first stop on the Badger's long road this year.
Looking to go even further, Wisconsin hopes to bring home the WCHA Final Five Championship, and ultimately have their eyes set on the national title.
Before they look to the post season, however, the Badgers must travel to Minnesota State-Mankato. In their regular season finale, Wisconsin (22-2-2-2 WCHA, 28-2-2 overall) will face off with the Mavericks (7-18-1-0, 8-21-3).
Even with postseason play secured, head coach Mark Johnson and his team are not overlooking the struggling Mavericks. Despite sweeping Minnesota State back in October, the Badgers were faced with a tough task in the series opener.
""The hard part is we know where we're playing in the playoffs,"" Johnson said. ""The motivation becomes a little bit more of a challenge.""
This talk of a lack of motivation is exactly that—just talk. If anything, the anticipation for the postseason has made the team more motivated as they head to Mankato.
""I think everybody starts to pick it up a little bit,"" sophomore Brianna Decker said. ""Most teams like to give us their ‘A' game; we know they're not going to take it easy on us.""
Wisconsin enters this weekend holding the No. 1 ranking in the nation, a spot that they have controlled for a majority of the season. But the title of nation's best also comes a big target on their backs. Every team is out to knock the Badgers down, but they have shown the country that they are worthy of the title.
The textbook play that fans have come to expect from Wisconsin has not come without its fair share of hard work.
""We really prepared ourselves,"" Decker said. ""We've been working hard all season.""
Combining their hard work with the talent that each player possesses has led to a season of consistency fueled by improvement.
""I look back on the season and we were pretty consistent the whole year,"" Johnson said. ""If your team can do that, generally, you'll be successful. Decker has really blossomed into a very good college player and you certainly knew what Hillary [Knight] was capable of and Meghan [Duggan], but they continue to get better.""
With little doubt, senior Meghan Duggan has been the standard of consistency for the Badgers, as she moves closer to breaking the Wisconsin women's hockey all time points record. After picking up six points last weekend against North Dakota, Duggan is within just one point of the record. If the senior manages to register just a single point this weekend, she will move to the top of the list, a feat few expect her not to accomplish.
Despite the prospect of breaking the record this weekend, though, it does not seem to be on the minds of anyone in the locker room.
""I don't talk about,"" Johnson said. ""I'm not sure she does either. If she ends up doing it, she's done because she deserves it.""
Even Duggan herself tends not to concentrate on the record, putting her team's success over her own.
""The media brings it to your attention, so I'm aware,"" Duggan said. ""If my individual success has aided that, then that's all I'm looking for.""
Following her selfless tendencies, Duggan attributes her success to the hard work of her teammates, and one in particular, Brianna Decker.
""I had the opportunity this year to play with [Decker], who I think I owe a lot to,"" said Duggan. ""Any play that I've been a part of, she's been a part of.""
