Draw in NoDak: No. 1 Badgers skate to 0-0 tie with No. 9 UND

Saturday, December 12

Grand Forks, North Dakota

4 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

18-1-1,12-1-1-1WCHA

North Dakota

11-6-3,8-5-3-2WCHA

Team	1	2	3	OT 1	F
Wisconsin	0	0	0	0	0
North Dakota	0	0	0	0	0

Photo by: David Stluka

Draw in NoDak: No. 1 Badgers skate to 0-0 tie with No. 9 UND

December 12, 2015 | Women's Hockey

Box Score

Wisconsin snares extra point in WCHA standings with shootout win

GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The No. 1 Wisconsin women's hockey team collected its first tie of the season, as the Badgers and No. 9 North Dakota (11-6-3, 8-5-3-1) skated to a 0-0 draw on Saturday at the Ralph Engelstad Arena.

Wisconsin won the shootout as sophomore Annie Pankowski scored on the team's first attempt before junior Sydney McKibbon lit the lamp on UW's final attempt of the three-round shootout to take the extra point in the WCHA standings.

The Wisconsin (18-1-1, 12-1-1-1 WCHA) defense played a large role in the stalemate, as the Badgers outshot the Fighting Hawks 41-17, however neither team was able to capitalize in regulation time or the overtime period.

"We played a good solid 65 minutes," UW head coach Mark Johnson said. "We got a lot of puck possession, created a lot of offensive opportunities, and ran into a goaltender that wasn't going to let any goals go by. I commend and am proud of the effort the kids put forth today after getting beat yesterday."

Junior goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens earned her NCAA-leading 10th shutout of the year, stopping all 17 shots she encountered. Her 27 shutouts rank sixth in NCAA history, and the La Malbaie, Quebec, native needs two more shutouts to tie Clarkson's Erica Howe for fifth on the all-time list.

"I think in general the team just played better," Desbiens said of the shutout. "We were ready to play today and that was the big difference. We didn't have that many breakdowns, so my job was pretty easy tonight."

The teams battled through the three scoreless periods, creating numerous scoring opportunities but both squads were unable to convert. The Wisconsin penalty kill fought off two Fighting Hawk advantages and continue to lead the nation with a .965 clip.

After 65 scoreless minutes, the game officially ended in a tie but went into a three-player shootout to decide which team would earn the extra conference point.

Pankowski's backhand shot slid underneath UND net minder Shelby Amsley-Benzie, hitting the post and trickling into the net. Initially waved off, the goal was reviewed and awarded to the Badgers.

Anna Kilponen and Meghan Dufault attempted shots for UND, while junior Sarah Nurse shot for the Badgers, but all were unsuccessful.

McKibbon took Wisconsin's final attempt, skating in and shooting a dagger between Amsley-Benzie's legs for the shootout victory.

"It's a bitter way to end the first half of the season," Johnson said of going 0-1-1 on the weekend series. "If we had talked in September and you would have told me we were going to be 18-1-1, I think we certainly would have taken it."

The Badgers continue to lead the NCAA in scoring defense, holding opponents to an average of 0.60 goals per game.

Saturday's game marked UW's final of the 2015 calendar year. Wisconsin next plays on Jan. 8 against Minnesota Duluth at LaBahn Arena.