No. 2 Wisconsin (10-2-2 WCHA, 14-2-2 overall) extended their nation-best unbeaten streak to 14 games by getting a home sweep against the Bemidji State Beavers (4-7-1, 7-9-2).
It was an impressive team performance for the Badgers, who outscored the Beavers 12-2 in the two games of the series, while looking sharp on offense, defense and in the net.
UW came strong out of the gates Friday, scoring the game’s first two goals within the first 10 minutes of the first period.
The Beavers answered back with a goal of their own in the first, and freshman forward Lauren Miller tied the game up just 46 seconds into the second period.
But from there, it was all Badgers.
Wisconsin scored the final five goals of the game in their 7-2 victory, three of which came courtesy of senior forward Madison Packer.
“It was a breakout day for her,” UW head coach Mark Johnson said. “It’s nice to see her come out and do some of the little things to give herself an opportunity. If she’s scoring with some of the other individuals that have been scoring, it makes it tough to play against us.”
Packer’s hat trick was historic for the Badgers, as it was the first hat trick in LaBahn Arena history.
“It feels good. I’ll enjoy it today, and then tomorrow go back to work,” Packer said. “I’m scoring when I need to right now and I don’t have any flop goals, so it was nice to get that (the hat trick) tonight.”
Freshman goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens replaced injured senior Alex Rigsby in the net, recording 14 saves and not allowing a goal in the last 39 minutes of the game.
“Overall she was good,” Johnson said. “If you asked her, she would probably say she wants that second goal back.”
The momentum carried over to Sunday for UW, who used a balanced offensive attack to defeat Bemidji State 5-0, with all five goals coming from different players.
Packer put together another strong performance, adding a goal and an assist to bring her series point total to five, and her career point total to 96.
It was also a great game for Desbiens, who recorded her second career shutout and improved her record to 6-0-0 on the season.
“It’s very nice to have all of [my teammates] cheering and celebrating a big sweep this weekend. We are all very happy,” Desbiens said. “Now we’re going to go back and do homework like normal students and go to school tomorrow.”
The win improved Wisconsin’s record to 10-0-0 at home this season, sending the team into their month-long break on a very positive note.
“I’m very impressed with the first half of the season. As we enter into finals, the kids get to go home and spend a little time with their family over vacation,” Johnson said. “I’m very happy with where we are.”
