In their second away series of the season, the Badgers (9-1-0 overall, 3-1-0 WCHA) take on the Minnesota State Mavericks (4-3-1 overall, 2-3-1-1 WCHA) this weekend in Mankato.
The Badgers’ only loss this season came last weekend against Minnesota, a 1-0 affair decided by a third-period goal scored by Gopher defender Emily Brown.
“It was a very good hockey game both ways,” head coach Mark Johnson said last week after Friday night’s game. “But, it comes down to one play and that penalty kill made a difference in the game.”
With redshirt senior forward Annie Pankowski in the penalty box, the Badgers were caught on their heels during a transition which led to the lone and game-winning goal for the Gophers on Friday night.
But, on Saturday afternoon, Wisconsin came out with a bang and won 4-1 to get a split in the border battle series between the two rivals.
This weekend, the Badgers will be sizing up against the Mavericks, who are coming off of a sweep against the Bemidji State Beavers. Minnesota State beat Bemidji State 4-1 in the first game and won the shootout 2-1 in the second game.
Wisconsin will be down two forwards and one defender this weekend as seniors Emily Clark, Mikaela Gardner and Annie Pankowski will be getting ready for the Four Nations Cup. While Clark will be on the Hockey Canada roster, Gardner and Pankowski will be playing for USA Hockey.
During the series this weekend, Wisconsin will have to watch out for and shut down the senior forwards who power Minnesota State’s lineup. The trio, which has combined for seven of the team’s 14 goals, consists of Rebekah Kolstad — who has scored four goals and assisted three — along with Jordan McLaughlin — who has six points in eight games — and team captain Corbin Boyd, who has picked up five points.
In addition to the Mavericks’ impressive forward line, goalie Abigail Levy has a .954 save percentage, which is the best in the league. The freshman was named WCHA Goaltender of the Month on Thursday. Levy is tied for second in goals against average in the WCHA with 1.35 goals. She has also won WCHA Goaltender of the Week twice.
Minnesota State’s defense has also been stepping up and playing tough, which may prove a challenge to Wisconsin’s forward line without Pankowski and Clark playing.
The puck is set to drop at 6 p.m. on Friday night and a rematch is set for Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Verizon Center in Mankato, Minnesota.
