Traveling east for the first time this season, the Wisconsin women’s hockey team (4-2-2 WCHA, 8-4-2 overall) split their weekend road series with the Ohio State Buckeyes (8-4-0, 10-4-0). With the win, the Badgers moved up to take sole position of third place in the WCHA standings.
Friday saw the Badgers capitalize on two short-handed opportunities and a penalty shot to run away with a 4-2 win. Senior defenseman Alev Kelter put up the first goal of the game for Wisconsin, snagging the puck on an Ohio State power play to break away for the easy score. The Buckeye blunders continued when sophomore forward Karley Sylvester was able to put away a penalty shot in the second period to move the Badgers even in the contest. Another short-handed goal by sophomore forward Blayre Turnbull proved to be the game winner, while an empty netter in the third period by senior forward Madison Packer sealed the win. In total 18 penalties were called between both teams, with 10 of those going against UW.
Saturday, the Buckeyes came back to stifle the Wisconsin offense on their way to a 3-1 victory to earn the weekend split. Unable to contain Ohio State sophomore forward Taylor Kuehl, the Minnetrista, Minn., native menaced the Badgers to the tune of two goals in the first two periods. After freshman forward Julia McKinnon tacked on the third OSU goal of the game, Wisconsin finally broke through in the third period with Kelter’s second goal of the series. The score would prove to not be enough though, as Ohio State would hold on for just their third win in their last 10 games against the Badgers. The defeat marked the first time the Badgers had lost since a 1-0 loss to Bemidji State on October 19th, snapping a six game unbeaten streak.
The Badgers return home to the LaBahn Arena next weekend to take on St. Cloud State.
