Women's Hockey Moves into Third with Shutout
December 07, 2002 | Women's Hockey
Three power-play goals led Wisconsin women's hockey to a 4-0 win against Bemidji State on Saturday.
The Badgers were both fortunate and unfortunate with the bounces in the first period. Jackie Friesen (Regina, Saskatchewan) got the first bounce at 5:38 to score her 10th goal of the season. Kathryn Greaves (Mentor, Ohio) pinched after a face off and put the puck behind the net. Amy Vermeulen (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) retrieved it and centered to a driving Friesen. The forward fanned when a Beaver defender tied up her stick, but the puck bounced off her leg and past goaltender Anik Cote for the score.
The Badgers had three golden opportunities in front of the BSU goal in the last minute of the opening period, but none produced goals. Julia Ortenzio 's (Eden Prairie, Minn.) shot, batted away by Cote, concluded the first three-shot barrage. The second ended with a premature whistle as the puck slid away from the crease after a sprawled Cote managed to keep the puck from crossing the goal line after a five-second scramble. The final time, Sis Paulsen's (Eau Claire, Wis.) point shot bounced off a BSU defender and off the far post before rebounding out the far side. Wisconsin ended up with a 17-1 shot advantage through the first 20 minutes.
Like they did in the first game of the series, the Beavers played a much improved second period, but this time the Badgers held them off the scoreboard. Jackie MacMillan (Buffalo, Minn.) stopped the Beavers best chance with a diving glove save on a rebound three minutes in. After the Badgers killed a 55-second 5-on-3, they got their own power-play opportunity and converted. Paulsen passed to Steph Millar (Hudson, Wis.) along the left boards, who wristed a slow shot on Cote. The goaltender pushed the soft shot aside, right to the waiting stick of Meghan Hunter (Oil Springs, Ontario). Hunter hit the half-empty net to snap an eight-game scoring drought and score her third of the season. The goal came at 8:58.
At 11:08, Hunter converted on her second power-play score of the period. Kerry Weiland (Palmer, Alaska) passed along the blue line to Paulsen at the left point. The senior fired a slap shot that Hunter redirected past Cote for a 3-0 Badger lead.
Kendra Antony (Yorkton, Saskatchewan) closed out the scoring with the Badgers' third power-play score. Hunter's wrist shot was stopped and the rebound bounced behind the net. Millar chipped it to Antony skating out front from the corner and the senior found room to stuff the puck into the short side. The final goal of the game came at 15:53.
For the third consecutive series finale, MacMillan and the Badgers posted a 4-0 shutout. This time, MacMillan increased her career total to 15 shutouts with 14 saves. She improved to 10-4-4 on the season. Cote stopped 25 shots but dropped to 4-5-1 this year.
With the victory, Wisconsin (10-4-4, 4-4-4 WCHA) climbs into sole possession of third place. The Badgers are now off until Jan. 7 when they play at St. Lawrence. The Badgers next home contest is Jan. 24 when New Hampshire visits the Kohl Center.
