Badgers Meet Beavers in WCHA Action
November 17, 2006 | Women's Hockey
Following a week off from competition for many of the Wisconsin players, the No. 1 Badger women's hockey team travels to Bemidji State Nov. 18-19 for their first meeting of the 2006-07 season. Wisconsin's school-record 24-game unbeaten streak remains intact as they look to improve upon their 11-0-1 overall record and 8-0-1 WCHA record.
Head Coach Mark Johnson, Erika Lawler and Jinelle Zaugg represented Team USA, while undergraduate assistant coach Carla MacLeod and Bobbi-Jo Slusar played for Team Canada in the 2006 Four Nations Cup in Kitchner, Ontario Nov. 7-12. The annual event featured four of the top women 's hockey nations in the world and included Canada, Finland, Sweden and the United States of America. Canada beat the United States for the gold medal, while Sweden overtook Finland on Saturday for the bronze medal.
Wisconsin's most recent match-up took place against Minnesota State, and resulted in a sweep for the Cardinal and White. The Badgers have never lost to MSU. Against the Mavericks, sophomore Jessie Vetter started back-to-back games for the second time this season and stopped 50 shots to earn the sweep and improve her record to 7-0-1.
Zaugg and Sara Bauer lead the nation in points earned and are the only skaters in the nation with 20 or more. Zaugg stands at 20, while Bauer has 24. Additionally, defenders Slusar and Meaghan Mikkelson are among the top defenders in country, based on the total point's category. Mikkelson stands tied for second with 13 points, while Slusar has 12 points and is tied for seventh.
Of note, rookie Kyla Sanders is making a name for herself, leading all UW newcomers in goals and points earned. With six points, Sanders is tied for sixth in the country, and with 12 points she ranks tied for fifth.
In their last 30 games, Wisconsin holds a 28-1-1 advantage over Bemidji State. The UW has won their last 15 meetings, the most recent loss occurring on Dec. 9, 2001, nearly five years ago.
Currently, the Beavers hold an overall 3-6-1 record and a league record of 2-3-1. The team is led by three seniors, including Helena Tageson who has notched five goals this year. Jenn Sadler has contributed four goals and one assist, while Kelly Hart has two apiece totaling four points, just 10 games into the season.
Starting every game this season, junior Emily Brookshaw stands in goal for Bemidji State. Brookshaw holds a 3.58 goals-against-average and a 88 percent save percentage.
The Sat.-Sun. series takes place at the John Glas Fieldhouse in Bemidji, Minn. The puck drops for both games at 2 p.m.
