Box Score Nov. 27, 2009
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The No. 7/9-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team played to a 2-2 tie Friday night against Providence College. In its final non-conference series of the season, the Badgers could not escape with the win after outshooting the Friars 36-15 at Schneider Arena.
After an early Wisconsin penalty, Providence got on the board first at the 2:20 mark when Jean O’Neill one-timed it into the open backdoor off a pass from Jessica Vella.
Arianna Rigano of Providence had a breakaway when sophomore Brittany Haverstock was called for tripping. Rigano was granted the penalty shot, marking the second time this year the Badgers have had to defend against a penalty shot. Becca Ruegsegger made the initial save with her right pad and punched it out with her stick to keep the score at 1-0 in the first half.
The Badgers first goal came off of junior Geena Prough at the 4:24 mark in the second period. Junior Kelly Nash bumped the puck to Prough after drawing the penalty at the blue line. Prough skated the puck from the blue line to backhand it in the far side of the net for her fourth goal of the season.
Wisconsin had outshot the Friars in every period, and the trend would continue in the third period. Early in the third period Wisconsin had a 5-on-3 opportunity for 1:33 but was unable to find the back of the net. Wisconsin went on to outshoot Providence 16-5 in the third.
Junior Mallory Deluce put Wisconsin up, 2-1 halfway through the third period. Sophomore Carolyne Prevost carried the puck behind the net where she dumped it to Deluce, who then skated it to the edge of the far faceoff circle. Deluce took a shot bouncing the puck off of Providence’s Genevieve Lacasse’s left pad and into the net with 10:33 remaining.
With under six minutes left in regulation, Wisconsin’s Breann Frykas went to the box, giving Providence its second power-play goal of the game for the equalizer. Nicole Anderson stuffed the puck in off Ruegsegger’s pads, finishing off a cross from Ashley Cottrell.
Through the five minute overtime period neither team was able to find the back of the net, with the game resulting in a 2-2 tie.
Officially the game ended as a tie, but both teams opted to go to a shootout, where Providence took the 2-1 advantage. Stefanie McKeough was the only Badger to convert, going five-hole in the shootout.
Wisconsin finished the game 0-5 on the power play while Providence capitalized twice on the man-advantage going 2-5.
Ruegsegger made 13 saves for the Badgers and Lacasse stopped 34 Badger attempts. The tie marks the Friars sixth tie of the season, and third against a ranked opponent.
Wisconsin will finish the series against the Friars tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 27 at 7 p.m. Fans can follow along with the gameday blog on UWBadgers.com.
