The No. 3 Badgers (6-2-0 WCHA, 8-2-0 overall) face another tough test this weekend as they hit the road to take on No. 10 North Dakota (3-3-0, 4-4-0).
After suffering its only two losses of the season at the hands of rival Minnesota two weeks ago, Wisconsin is looking to build off the momentum established last weekend in a pair of close wins over Bemidji State.
In those close wins, freshman forward Baylee Wellhausen tallied an assist and a goal, earning her WCHA Rookie of the Week honors. She is the third Badger to win the award so far this season, and the team could use another strong performance from her this weekend, as they won’t be at full strength.
“We’re going to be missing two kids on Friday night and missing three kids on Saturday,” said head coach Mark Johnson. “So we’re going to have to rearrange our lines and create some chemistry in a short period of time.”
Wisconsin has a great mix of an aggressive offense and a strong backline. Changes to their lines could disrupt some of that balance and flow that the team rides to victory.
The shots should keep coming. The Badgers have nine players who have attempted 20 or more shots, four of whom have sent 30 or more. They also have seven players with five or more assists.
The last six goals scored by UW came from six different sticks, and sophomore forward Sarah Nurse is the only Badger who has more than one goal over the team’s last six games. This offensive balance should help Wisconsin manage any personnel deficits.
Defensively, sophomore goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens has been solid with a 92.7 save percentage (166 in total), but she can’t do it alone.
“You can’t do by yourself,” said Desbiens. “It’s always the teamwork. I’m really happy with our defense so far. Everyone has played well. It’s a team effort.”
That team effort will be needed against a North Dakota team that is better than its record indicates. North Dakota, which currently has no nickname as the team transitions from its former Fighting Sioux label, suffered tough early season losses at the hands of Vermont and Duluth, before being swept by No. 1 Minnesota last weekend.
That puts UND in a similar situation as the Badgers were last week. North Dakota will be motivated and desperate for a win as it returns to its home ice to host the depleted UW squad.
It could be a recipe for disaster for Wisconsin, who needs every win they can to remain at the top of the standings with the rival Gophers.
North Dakota and Wisconsin have gone back and forth in their recent matchups. Last season, the two teams tied in their first matchup in North Dakota, before the Badgers took the second game of that weekend.
When UND came to LaBahn Arena last year, the two teams split the games, with each team getting their respective win by a 4-1 margin.
If history is any indication, there should be two very close and exciting hockey games Friday and Saturday in North Dakota.
