Two dominant performances on both attacking and defending ends propel the No. 2 Wisconsin Women’s hockey team to extend its winning streak to 13, with blowout wins against Bemidji State on Feb. 9 and Feb. 10. A total of 10 Badgers got on the scoresheet in the two-game series at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota.
The Badgers wasted no time Friday, scoring six goals in the first period. Sophomore forward Kirsten Simms scored the first goal of the game after blasting the puck past Bemidji State freshman goalie Eva Filippova.
Multiple goals were scored off individual efforts, including forwards Britta Curl, Lacey Eden and Caroline Harvey. Curl and sophomore Laila Edwards scored within a minute and a half of each other at the end of the first period, showcasing their talent by swooping past multiple defenders and slotting the puck into the back of the net.
The Badgers were off to a triumphant start, but Edwards went for more — she scored the only two goals in the second period and ended her night with a hat trick. Simms also earned a hat trick when she scored the last goal on a power play in third period, making the score 10-0. Simms banked her 50th point of the season in Friday’s matchup.
There was no stopping the Badgers from completing their series sweep on Saturday.
Seven minutes into the first period, freshman forward Kelly Gorbatenko opened the scoring with a shot from halfway across the ice. The puck went sailing through the goaltender's legs, stunning the Beavers. With 20 seconds left in the period, freshman forward Laney Potter’s fancy hands led to a shot, which Simms tapped in after a rebound off the goalie.
Senior forward Casey O’Brein scored the only goal in period two. She finished off of a cross from Eden, capitalizing on a power play a minute and a half into the second period.
Madeline Picard found the back of the net off a cross about halfway through the third period. Five minutes later, a distance shot from sophomore Vivian Jungels made its way into the back of the net. The game ended with a 7-0 statement win as the Badgers extended their winning streak to 13 and continued their quest for another National Championship.
Both goalies got shutout wins. Senior goalie Jane Gervais had 16 saves Friday, and freshman Ava Naughton stopped all 12 shots that came her way Saturday. They proved that it’s not only the Badgers offense that’s on fire.
Wisconsin will take on No. 5 Minnesota at LaBahn Arena next weekend as they look to end their season with a top-five win.
Shane Colpoys is a sports editor for The Daily Cardinal. She has written in-depth on the Wisconsin women's hockey team beat.
