Badgers Sweep the Huskies in Weekend Series
November 05, 2005 | Women's Hockey
The No. 3 Badger women's hockey team clinched a weekend series after defeating Western Collegiate Hockey Association opponent St. Cloud State Saturday 3-1 at the Kohl Center. The win improved Wisconsin to 8-1-0 overall and 6-1-0 in the conference, while the Huskies dropped to 2-6-0 overall and in the WCHA.
In the opening period, Wisconsin took charge with a goal at 7:27. Assistant captain Sara Bauer (St. Catharines, Ontario) helped secure the lead for UW after scoring a goal from the slot off quick passes from Meaghan Mikkelson (St. Albert, Alberta) and freshman Kayla Hagen (Crosslake, Minn.).
The second period brought more Badger power to the ice, when UW added two goals, pulling ahead of the Huskies 3-0. Wisconsin out shot St. Cloud State 16-7 in the second. Wisconsin's offense proved to be the key component in the shutout win, with UW out shooting SCSU 37-22 in the game.
Just 00:46 after the first intermission, sophomore Jinelle Zaugg (Eagle River, Wis.) slipped around SCSU goalie Kendall Newell, bringing the Badgers up by two on the power-play attempt. Assists were credited to Bobbi-Jo Slusar (Swift Current, Saskatchewan) and Bauer in the play. Bauer has six multi-point games this season and continued a 18-game point streak. Slusar is also proven consistent registering at least one point in the last eight games.
The Badgers final goal of the game came with 6:59 remaining in the second period.
Newcomer Erika Lawler (Fitchburg, Mass.) backhanded the puck to Tia Hanson (Medicine Hat, Alberta). SCSU goalie was poised to make the save, expecting the shot from Hanson. Guarding her glove side, Newell left her right side exposed when Hanson slipped the puck to Angie Keseley (St. Louis Park, Minn.), who flipped it over Newell 's right leg for the goal.
The Huskies continued to fight hard in the third period, but their one goal was not enough to overtake the Badger lead. SCSU center Hailey Clarkson capitalized with a goal after catching a pass from teammate Denelle Maguet on the power play. Out-maneuvering Wisconsin goalie Christine Dufour (Rivere-du-Loup, Quebec), Kristy Oonincx was also credited with an assist on the play.
St. Cloud State goaltender Newell stopped 34 shots in the game, while Wisconsin goalie Dufour ended the game with 21 saves in her third win of the season. Allowing just one goal in the game, Dufour now owns a 1.25 goals-against average.
The Badgers closed out their final home game of the 2005 calendar year after defeating St. Cloud State on Saturday. The team will embark on a two-month road trip and will be back on its home ice Jan. 20, 2006.
Wisconsin will be traveling to Winona, Minn., on Nov. 9 for a make-up game against Minnesota State. The game will be free and open to the public, with the puck set to drop at 7:07 p.m.
