For the first time in Wisconsin women’s hockey history, the team overcame a three-goal deficit to close their series with a win against No. 7 Minnesota Duluth.
The Badgers proved their dominance by sweeping the Bulldogs in a two-game series on Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27. Their disciplined 2-1 win on Friday set the stage for a historic 5-4 win on Saturday, where the Badgers scored four unanswered goals in the third period. Prior to their win on Saturday, the Badgers were 0-24 in games where they were behind by more than three goals going into the third period.
On Friday, the Badgers showed their composure and discipline. Senior forward Casey O’Brian scored her 40th goal of the season on a rebound off of the Minnesota Duluth goalie, freshman Eve Gascon, putting the Badgers up 1-0. The Bulldogs scored a minute later to tie the game, 1-1.
After a scoreless second period, both teams entered the third tied at 1-1. One minute into the period, junior forward Lacey Eden scored on a power play to put the Badgers back in the lead, 2-1. Despite giving up a goal earlier in the game, Badgers’ goalie Jane Gervais made 20 saves to stop Minnesota Duluth from tying the game and propel the team to victory.
The Badgers made history in game two against Minnesota Duluth on Saturday: they had never won a game when they were behind by three or more goals going into the last period.
Wisconsin tied its first series with the Bulldogs in early December. Determined not to let that happen again, the team fought hard to overcome a 3-0 deficit to get the 5-4 win and sweep the series.
Down 4-1 as the third period started, the Badgers needed brilliance in the last 20 minutes to get the road sweep against Minnesota Duluth — and who better to hand it off to than Eden? With 13 minutes left in the third period, Eden’s shot ricocheted off of a defender into the back of the net. Her teammate, freshman forward Cassie Hall, scored just 30 seconds later, putting the Badgers one goal behind.
Two minutes later, Eden capitalized on a scramble in front of the net and scored again.
With the game on the line, sophomore forward Kirsten Simms scored the game-winning goal to seal the win for the Badgers. For the first time in school history, UW overcame a three-goal deficit.
Freshman goalie Ava McNaughton also made some nice saves to assist in the momentum shift and help the Badgers stay in the game.
These road wins will set the tone for next week, where the Wisconsin women’s hockey team will return home to LaBahn Arena to play another top 10 opponent, St. Cloud State.
Shane Colpoys is a sports editor for The Daily Cardinal. She has written in-depth on the Wisconsin women's hockey team beat.
