Every great team, regardless of the sport, has had that one shortcoming that makes people think “yeah, but…” that they needed to overcome to hit on all cylinders and compete for a title. For the top-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team, that “yeah, but…” item has been the power play. That is until recently.
"The puck has gone in the net the past three or four weekends," head coach Mark Johnson said about the power play during his weekly press conference. "That's probably the biggest reason. But I think over the course of the season, you look at film and Jackie (assistant coach Jackie Crum) and Dan (associate head coach Dan Koch) have spent time with our power play, looking at little things. But it's about the ability of the players to read what's given to you."
The Badgers (19-2-1 WCHA, 24-2-1 overall) are in the midst of a 10-game winning streak. Prior to the streak – which began December 4 against then-No. 2 Minnesota – UW was just 8-for-65 (.123 success rate) on the power play. Since then, the Badgers are 11-for-34 (.324) on power-play opportunities – the best in the NCAA during that span.
Wisconsin already leads the NCAA in goals per game (4.07), goals allowed (0.93) and now with the power play up to speed, UW looks to be getting close to putting it all together.
“It’s nice to have the different phases of our game, whether it’s the penalty killing, five-on-five play in the neutral zone or the power play,” Johnson said. “If things are flowing in those three areas, chances are you’re in a real good position to win a hockey game.”
After sweeping Minnesota State 5-0 and 6-1 to complete a six-game homestand last weekend, Wisconsin heads on the road to take on fifth-place Bemidji State (5-14-3, 9-14-3). The Badgers swept the Beavers back in early November 5-0 and 6-0.
"Bemidji State is a team that will always give us their best," Pankowski told UWBadgers.com. "They compete hard and play a great defensive game. The games will be fast and physical and will come down to us being able to get shots to the net and getting to the dirty areas."
The puck drops Friday and Saturday at 3 p.m.
