Whether the coaching staff and players wanted to admit it or not, frustration within the Wisconsin women’s hockey team (1-3-2 WCHA, 5-3-2 overall) was—statistically speaking— at a program-high after being shutout in three straight games, spanning from the Minnesota-Duluth series through the opening game of the Bemidji State series.
However, after a sweep of non-conference opponent New Hampshire last weekend, the Badgers come into the upcoming series riding a new wave of confidence and look to extend their winning ways this weekend, as they take on WCHA foe Minnesota State (2-2-2, 4-4-2) Friday and Saturday at 2p.m. in the LaBahn Arena.
Wisconsin and Minnesota State will meet in the second and final series of the season this weekend. The Badgers took five out of six points the first time they met in Mankato and outshot the Mavericks 82-41. According to senior forward Brianna Decker, fans should expect much of the same offensive pressure.
“Any time you can outshoot a team we’re going to have more opportunities to score and put the puck away,” Decker said. “They have a great goaltender and we’re going to have to have a similar performance as we did in the beginning of the year but I think we’ve grown as a team and a lot of individuals have a lot more confidence than they did four weeks ago.”
In Sunday’s lopsided 5-0 victory, the Wisconsin offense got contributions across the board, including three points each from Decker and freshman defenseman Courtney Burke, and two assists from senior defenseman Saige Pacholok.
In terms of contributions, they have not been few and far between thus far for the Badgers, especially on the defensive side. In fact, the Wisconsin defenseman are second in the nation with 29 points—eight goals, 21 assists—with Burke leading all defenseman with two goals and six assists, which helps take the pressure off of the offense to produce goals.
“We’re looking for contributions from many people and so we have to score by committee,” head coach Mark Johnson said. “The more people we get involved, the better.”
Decker echoed her coach’s remarks. “I think that’s huge,” she said. “I think it adds depth to our team and it’s only going to make us more successful game in and game out.”
While the defense has been able to provide an offensive spark, the play of junior goaltender Alex Rigsby should not be overlooked. Against New Hampshire, Rigsby stopped a combined 50 shots while only giving up a mere one goal en route to the WCHA Defensive Player of the Week, which she attributed to an increased sense of comfort and stout defense.
“I think it was just more being comfortable in the atmosphere that we’re in,” Rigsby said. “I think our team up front did a great job, especially helping clear bodies in front of the net, making my job much easier.”
The puck drop for Friday’s contest is an earlier start time than usual and raises a little bit of concern for Johnson. “It’s always challenging, it’s always tough to play that Friday matinee game but we’ve talked about it so now it’s up to the players to get themselves ready.”
From a player’s standpoint, Rigsby believes the early start will not be a distraction for the team. “I, personally, have an exam [Friday] morning but, as soon as that’s over, I’ll be focused on the game, especially once we get to the rink,” she said. “Everyone will be able to tune in and it doesn’t really matter what time the game is at that standpoint.”
