In September the UW women's hockey team just wanted to be in a position where its games at the end of the season would mean something. Six months later, it finds itself in that situation.
The Badgers (13-5-4 WCHA, 20-6-5 overall) look to keep their eight-game winning streak alive this weekend as they host the Minnesota Golden Gophers (18-3-1, 25-4-1) in a series with serious post-season implications.
\We're in a position where if we have some success this week and carry it over to next week it helps us move up the ladder into the NCAA picture,"" Head Coach Mark Johnson said. ""We have Minnesota three times in a row [with the WCHA Final Five next week]. If we have some success in those three games, [we're] going to move up.""
The Badgers' latest victories came against Ohio State in convincing fashion last weekend as they outscored the Buckeyes 9-2 over the two-game series in Columbus, Ohio.
Much of Wisconsin's recent success can be attributed to an increase in offensive production.
""The last three weekends the puck has gone in for us more than it did earlier in the year,"" Johnson said. ""Now we've got five a couple nights, we got seven one night, we got nine one night. Anytime you can score over five goals, you have a pretty good chance to win.""
Along with improvements in scoring, the Badgers know they have to be strong in the defensive zone. Senior goaltender and WCHA defensive player of the week Jackie MacMillan will certainly help them accomplish that.
""We need to shut down their first line and play real good defensive hockey, everything starts in the defensive zone,"" MacMillan said.
Wisconsin needs to continue its stellar team play to come away with a win against the Gophers. Minnesota features a balanced attack at both ends of the ice with a deep squad and very talented players. Freshman forwards Natalie Darwitz and Krissy Wendell, Minnesota's leading scorers, are both Olympians, but they are not the entire offense, as 14 of the Gophers' 16 skaters have scored in the past four games.
One thing working in Wisconsin's favor is that Minnesota will probably be without Wendell as she recovers from a fractured clavicle.
The final series and home stand of the regular season is always significant, but this weekend's games will be particularly important as they mark the final home games for this year's senior class and the women who pioneered the UW hockey program in the 1999-'00 season.
""I think it's real exciting on a lot of different levels,"" MacMillan said. ""If you look at our team four years later, there's been a lot to be proud of.""
The Badgers and their seniors would certainly be proud of a NCAA berth, something they can make significant strides towards this weekend.
