The UW women's hockey team faces off this weekend against the Beavers of Bemidji State (3-3-2 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, 5-5-3 overall). The Badgers hope to accomplish in northwest Minnesota this weekend what they have not been able to do all season: sweep a conference rival.
\What we have to focus on to get a sweep is to play the whole game,"" sophomore defender Molly Engstrom said. ""We've proven when we play our game we're unbeatable.""
This task will not be effortless for No. 9 Wisconsin (3-4-3, 9-4-3). Regardless of their lackluster record, Bemidji State has the potential to threaten any team. Senior forward and team point leader Amber Fryklund leads an offense that, coupled with staunch goaltending, helps form a squad that the Badgers cannot afford to take lightly.
Junior goalie Arik Cole may pose problems for a UW offense that is working on establishing scoring consistency. Cole's impressive save percentage and goals against average will be at risk, however, against the likes of Wisconsin sophomore forward Jackie Friesen and junior forward Meghan Hunter.
""If we're gonna have success, its gotta be a combination of us scoring some goals and, equally as important, playing well on our own end and keeping the puck out of the net,"" Head Coach Mark Johnson said.
The Badgers managed seven goals last weekend against Minnesota State-Mankato while the Beavers let up nine goals in their last series against North Dakota.
Bemidji State is the least penalized team in the WCHA and Wisconsin may be forced to rely on their touted penalty kill lines. The Badgers' penalty kill unit, ranked second in the conference, will be greatly tested by Beaver junior forward Guylaine Hache, who is among the league leaders in power play goals.
""Our penalty killers go out there and don't give the power play much time to set up,"" Hunter said. ""Basically what it comes down to is a lot of hard work.""
Two wins against the Beavers would not only mark Wisconsin's first weekend sweep in the conference, but would lift its WCHA record to above .500. UW has aspirations of reaching the NCAA Frozen Four and winning the conference, so a strong showing against Bemidji State could better their chances and further develop the players, who are coming together more every game.
""We've got a number of people that have played well. To pick one person out of the group I'm not sure would be fair right now,"" Johnson said. ""I would like to think the team has been the most valuable player up to this point.\
