It’s a new year, but the Wisconsin women’s hockey team has the same goal as they look to become back-to-back national champions.
The Badgers started out their year on a high note, outscoring their opponents 34 to six since their first game against Merrimack on Jan. 6. Despite a plateau in the middle of the season, the Badgers have gone undefeated since the beginning of the calendar year.
With stiff competition still to come — including matchups at Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth and Ohio State — the Badgers will need to rely heavily on their high-level goaltenders. Both junior Jane Gervais and freshman Ava McNaughton have been named to the National Goaltender of the Year watchlist and will have to come up with key saves in big games to keep their team alive.
The Badgers sit at the top of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association behind Ohio State and lead the league with the most goals forward at 131.
These goals have been scored by all active players on the roster, not including goaltenders. Versatility and depth will help both the attack and the defense leading into the rest of the regular season.
Although there are some tough road games ahead, the season is not over yet, and there is still much on the line for the team. No matter where the game is played, Badgers fans will surely be seen loud and proud at each one, sporting their women’s hockey gear and chanting, “Go Big Red!”
This year’s Frozen Four Tournament will take place in Durham, North Carolina, and starts in late March.
Shane Colpoys is a sports editor for The Daily Cardinal. She has written in-depth on the Wisconsin women's hockey team beat.
