Wisconsin sophomore Tom Clum added to his list of accomplishments this weekend as he was crowned the 125-pound Big Ten Champion after defeating top-seeded Iowa senior Luke Eustice 5-3 in the championship match. Clum (ranked fourth nationally) got revenge on his only Big Ten loss of the season, a 7-5 overtime loss to the second-ranked Eustice last month at the Field House. The win improved Clum to 28-4 overall and will undoubtedly assure him one of the top seeds at the NCAA Tournament in St. Louis, Mo., March 18 to 20.
Although Clum was Wisconsin's only champion on the weekend, the Badgers qualified seven out of 10 wrestlers for the NCAA Tournament after the team earned a seventh place finish with 85 team points. Iowa won the team title with 129.5 points and narrowly edged out Minnesota (124.5 points), denying the Gophers their quest for a fourth straight Big Ten Championship.
The second-highest finish on the weekend for the Badgers was a third-place finish by 133 lbs. sophomore Ed Gutnik,who capped his weekend with an impressive 14-4 major decision over second-seeded Penn State senior Josh Moore, who is ranked fourth nationally.
Junior co-captain Tyler Laudon (141 lbs.) also reached the consolation finals, but dropped a tight 4-2 decision to Indiana's Coyte Cooper, earning him a fourth place finish.
Other Badgers assuring themselves trips to this year's national tournament by placing in the top seven in the conference were sophomore Kelly Flaherty (fifth at 165 lbs.); senior co-captain Ralph DeNisco (sixth at 174 lbs.); sophomore Ryan Flaherty (seventh at 197 lbs.); and senior Jareck Horton (sixth at heavyweight).
DeNisco's sixth place finish secured him a fourth straight trip to the National Tournament, while the Flaherty brothers and Horton will each be newcomers to the event. Clum, Gutnik and Laudon will all be making their second straight trips to the tournament.
Failing to guarantee themselves bids to nationals were sophomore Tony Turner (149 lbs.), freshman Tyler Turner (157 lbs.), and junior co-captain Brady Reinke (184 lbs.). Tyler Turner and Reinke both finished one win shy and received eighth place finishes. However, Reinke received a wildcard qualification, granted by conference coaches.
The Wisconsin women's hockey team (18-5-1 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, 24-5-3 overall) scored two goals in the third period to squeak by Bemidji State 2-1 Sunday afternoon. The win capped a series sweep of the Beavers after Saturday's game in which Wisconsin sailed to a 6-0 victory.
In Game 1 of the series, junior Jackie Friesen shined, scoring three times and collecting her second career hat trick. UW's offensive onslaught was relentless as they scored twice in each period to secure the victory against beleaguered BSU. Bemidji State goalie Anik Cot gave a valiant effort, stopping 42 shots in a loss.
In the second game the Badgers faltered early but took control late in the game to escape with a win. It was Senior Day Sunday at the Kohl Center as Wisconsin's players, coaches and fans bid farewell to its five seniors, Stephanie Boeckmann, Kathryn Greaves, Meghan Hunter, Steph Millar and Karen Rickard.
After Wisconsin fell behind 1-0 on a goal from Beaver freshman forward Kelly Hart, it was fitting that on Senior Day senior co-captain Meghan Hunter scored the game-tying goal in the third period to bring the Badgers back. Hunter put the puck past Cot with 5:05 left. Soon after, freshman forward Meaghan Mikkelson followed suit, giving Wisconsin the lead for good.
The Badger seniors leave Madison having won 20-plus games in all four years, and this year helped UW to win 18 games in the conference and earn 24 overall victories-both school records.
UW will enter the WCHA Tournament as the No. 2 seed and face-off against No. 3 Minnesota-Duluth to determine the Final Five Champion.
