As the Badgers prepare for their second-round matchup with St. Cloud State, it does not hurt to have a little confidence boost midweek. Wisconsin picked up three accolades Wednesday in the innaugural Western Collegiate Hockey Association's awards.
Junior Sara Bauer picked up the WCHA Player of the Year, junior defender Bobbi-Jo Slusar was named Defensive Player of the Year and head coach Mark Johnson was honored as Coach of the Year.
Bauer, UW's first-ever conference Player of the ear, won the league's Rookie of the Year award just two seasons ago. She was the preseason pick for the award as well, and lived up to expectations, ranking second in the league in points with 38 and tied for first with six game-winning goals.
Slusar joined two-time winner Molly Engstrom as the only Badgers to win the award. The Saskatchewan native led all WCHA defenders in scoring and is third in the nation.
Johnson, who has now won the award for the second time in four seasons, led UW to a conference-leading 24-3-1 record and a 31-4-1 overall record. He picked up his 100th win in February.
Bauer and Slusar will also be named to the All-WCHA first team. Senior captain Sharon Cole and junior defender Meaghan Mikkelson were named to the second team.
