The Badgers traveled to Bemidji State to play the Beavers on Thursday and Friday. They swept the series with no trouble, totaling their ninth straight win of the season. Kami Cronish allowed no goals Thursday night and only one was allowed Friday night by Jane Gervais.
Thursday night, the Badgers came out looking strong. They took no time to get on the board, with Vivian Jungels scoring her first goal as a Badger just over a minute into the first period. Katie Kotlowski sent over a pass to Jungels who shot it straight through the five-hole of the BSU goaltender from the Beavers’ blue line.
Just five minutes later, Sophie Shirley scored, making it 2-0 Badgers. After receiving a centering pass from Marianne Picard, Shirley easily maneuvered around the goaltender to backhand in the second goal of the game. Lacey Eden joined in on the fun, putting the Badgers up by three with an incredible zig-zag move around the goalie to slide the puck in.
Senior Captain Britta Curl had an exciting night as she tallied her 50th career goal, assisted by Jesse Compher — making it 4-0 Badgers at the end of the first period.
Back for the second period, the Badgers easily won the faceoff and took no time in starting the next scoring streak of the game. Sarah Wozniewicz scored after two Bemidji State players and a Wisconsin player took a fall. Wozneiwicz swooped in behind the fall, shooting the puck right over the goalie’s shoulder, making it 5-0 Badgers.
A little over a minute later, Simms scored the sixth goal for the Badgers, effortlessly moving through the BSU defense to score an impressive backhanded shot.
Next up on the scoring squad was freshman Clair Enright, who took advantage of a miscommunication between a Bemidji State player and the goalie. A split second before the Beaver goalie was able to cover up the puck, Enright poked it right into the goal. The second period ended with shots favoring Wisconsin 24-5 and the score at 7-0 Badgers.
In the third period, Picard finished off the scoring barrage with a goal assisted by the Edwards sisters making it the eighth and final goal of the game.
Thursday night was the Badgers’ eighth straight win. They dominated the Beavers, winning 8-0 with eight different scorers. The Badgers were simply too quick for the Beavers, resulting in an impressive night for Wisconsin hockey.
Friday night, the teams shared a total of eight penalties, with only one power play goal. Both teams played their best, but the Beavers were just no match for the Badgers.
Wisconsin won the faceoff to start the game Friday night, and Caroline Harvey was the first to score. Harvey was assisted by Shirley, whose assist put her in 10th for school history in career scoring.
With just over eight minutes left in the period, Casey O’Brien scored a goal after receiving a long, centering pass from Harvey. To end the first period, Jesse Compher scored as well, giving the Badgers an impressive 3-0 lead.
Early into the second period, Shirley scored off an assist from Curl, and Lacey Eden joined the scoring run as well, making it 5-0 Badgers. Jane Gervais made an impressive snag in the second period, shutting down a shot from Bemidji State. The second period ended with both teams down a player from two penalties.
In the third period, BSU got a second penalty while still killing off the first one, making it four-on-three. Once the two penalties ended, it was five-on-four, with Wisconsin having the advantage. Nicole LaMantia did not let the power play go to waste, scoring and making it 6-0 Badgers.
Grace Shirley finished up the Badgers’ scoring run with a falling goal after an impressive drop pass from Claire Enright, putting the lead at 7-0 Badgers. With a minute left in the game, Bemidji State player Gabbie Smith finally put the Beavers on the board, ending the game at 7-1 Badgers.
This week’s games were another dominating show for the Wisconsin Women’s Hockey team. The team showed off impressive talent, precision and focus in both games against Bemidji State. This upcoming week, the Badgers will face the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs on Friday and Saturday.
