No. 3 Badgers Prepare to Battle No. 4 Minnesota
November 17, 2005 | Women's Hockey
The No. 3 Wisconsin women's hockey team (9-1-0, 7-1-0 WCHA) will travel across the border Nov. 18-19 to take on perennial powerhouse and reigning national champion Minnesota (9-3-0, 4-2-0 WCHA). The UW will face-off against the fourth-ranked Gophers in Minneapolis' Ridder Arena.
The last time the Badgers played in Minnesota's home territory was during the 2005 Western Collegiate Hockey Association Tournament in which the Badgers fell in over to the Gophers despite an incredible last minute comeback in regulation. The loss was a disappointment to the Badgers who accumulated two penalties entering the overtime, UW was quickly defeated on the Gophers' 5-on-3 power-play charge just 0:19 into the extra period.
The Badgers have had limited success against the Gophers with a 4-23-2 all-time record, but this season UW hope to have an edge on their conference rival. Minnesota lost four skaters to the USA Olympic training team and with them 67 percent of the team's scoring from the 2004-05 season. Natalie Darwitz, Krissy Wendell, Kelly Stephens and Lyndsay Wall accounted for 342 of the team's 507 season points and 132 of the 197 goals. As a result, the Gophers are a relatively young team, giving UW an advantage with more experience on the ice.
The Wisconsin offense is led by junior forward Sara Bauer (St. Catharines, Ontario) who after 10 games has racked up 22 points. Bauer also holds the team 's longest current point streak with 19 games stretching back to last season 's Feb. 12 7-2 win vs. Ohio State. She also earned back-to-back WCHA offensive player of the week honors, Oct. 31 and Nov. 7.
On the defensive side, junior goaltender Christine Dufour (Rivere-du-Loup, Quebec) has the fourth-best goals-against average in the country with 1.20. Se has already recorded two shutouts this season. Junior blueliner Bobbi-Jo Slusar is contributing to both the defense and offense. She leads the nation in points per game for defenders.
Wisconsin defeated Minnesota State 7-1 Nov. 9 at St. Mary's University in Winona, Minn. The game was scheduled as a make-up game after a cancellation earlier this season. The Badgers scored an incredible six goals in the final period. Sophomore Jinelle Zaugg (Eagle River, Wis.) scored two goals to take over the team lead in goals. Meaghan Mikkelson (St. Albert, Alberta) registered three helpers and has eight on the season. UW idled over the weekend taking advantage of the bye week to rest and prepare for the Gophers.
The Gophers earned a non-conference sweep at home vs. Brown last weekend. On the first night of play, Erika McKenzie score a career-high four goals on five shots to lead the Minnesota hockey team to a 5-1 win over the Bears. Bobbi Ross also tallied five points in the win. Saturday, the Gophers finished the game with 39 shots to Brown's 12. Minnesota also held the Bears to 0-9 on the power play. With one goal in each period, Minnesota shut out Brown 3-0.
The Gophers' three losses so far this season were to top-ranked St. Lawrence and conference foes Minnesota Duluth and Ohio State. After beating Ohio State 9-5 on Nov. 4, the Gophers dropped a 2-1 decision in overtime. It was Minnesota 's first loss to Ohio State since March 2001.
This series also holds 20 points (10 per game) in the annual Wisconsin-Minnesota TDS Border Battle. The match-up is currently tied at 100 points each.
The puck is set to drop at 7:07 p.m. both nights. Live stats and an sport=wch" target=_new> --> audio broadcast will be available through the Minnesota web site or by clicking the hyperlinks.
