The Wisconsin Badgers traveled to AMSOIL Arena to play the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs on Friday and Saturday. The team battled in both games, going 1-1 in the series. On Friday, the Badgers lost their nine-game winning streak, before fighting back to win on Saturday.
Friday night, the game started off slow for both Wisconsin and Duluth. Wisconsin dominated the first period in terms of shots on goal, but no shots would fall, leading to no goals for the majority of the first period. With under two minutes left in the first, Lacey Eden started off the scoring with a stolen pass. Eden took the puck and skated right up to the goalie, made a move, then backhanded the puck in. The period ended with the Badgers up 1-0.
In the second period, no goals were scored, however, the Bulldogs went on a power play, but the Badgers successfully killed the penalty. Duluth overtook the lead in shots on goal in the second.
The third period was smooth sailing for the first 17 minutes. However, with less than three minutes left, UMD forward Gabby Hughes tied the game up before the third period ended. This pushed the game into overtime before UMD scored the winning goal, resulting in a 2-1 victory.
The game was an unfortunate loss for Wisconsin. However, they came out much stronger Saturday night.
The game started off with the Badgers winning the faceoff. Shortly into the period, Caroline Harvey scored her first of the night. After receiving a pass from Natalie Buchbinder, she skated up to two UMD players and shot through the defense, sailing the puck right past the goalie.
With just under 13 minutes left in the first, the Badgers were called for a penalty. UMD capitalized on the power play, with a goal from Hanna Baskin, tying it at 1-1. The first period ended in a tie, with shots favoring Minnesota-Duluth.
The second period started off with the Bulldogs winning the faceoff and UMD’s Gabby Krause scoring 5:30 into the period to take the lead. With no hesitation, Lacey Eden tied the game at two. Receiving a pass from senior captain Britta Curl, Eden made an impressive wrist shot to tie the game.
Harvey doubled up her scoring for the night and put the Badgers in the lead. By being in the right place at the right time, she scooped up the puck after it tipped off a UMD player’s stick. Bringing the puck back, Harvey sent the puck blazing past UMD’s defense and goalie, scoring the third Wisconsin goal of the night.
In the third period, UMD won the faceoff, however, Nicole LaMantia extended the Badger lead. After receiving a pass, LaMantia made a far shot into the corner of the goal to make it 4-2 Wisconsin. The Badgers went on a penalty kill after Jesse Compher received a five-minute major penalty for slashing the goalie. UMD tied the game up with nine minutes left, and then scored again with just over two minutes left to tie the game. However, the goal was overturned due to an offsides’ penalty.
The Badgers ultimately took the 4-3 win over the Bulldogs.
The next games for the Badgers will be Nov. 19 and 20, against the rival Minnesota Golden Gophers. Currently, Wisconsin ranks as No. 3 and Minnesota is at No. 4. Next week’s matchup should be a close and exciting contest.
