Recent matchups between the University of Minnesota and Wisconsin in women's hockey have been high-stakes affairs, usually pitting ranked teams fighting for postseason success. That will continue this weekend when the No. 6 Gophers come to the Kohl Center to face the No.1 team in the country.
Minnesota is coming off of an upset sweep of the former No.1 team, the Minnisota Duluth Bulldogs, in Minneapolis. The Badgers went 4-0-1 against the Gophers last season including a win in the WCHA Final Five. Wisconsin is not taking Minnesota lightly, though.
You look at the top part of their line-up - Erica McKenzie, Gigi Marvin and Bobbi Ross are all good players,"" UW head coach Mark Johnson said.
""They are elite players, they've played for national teams, they've played in under-22 tournaments at a high level. They are good players and there are a lot of players that we certainly have to be aware of on the ice.""
Senior forwards McKenzie and Ross have 14 and 11 points respectively good for first and fifth in the WCHA. The Wisconsin defense has not been its usual self, giving up two goals in four of its last five games, which has not happened since the 2005-'06 season. The Badgers however are not overly concerned.
""Hockey's a game of mistakes and it just so happens this past weekend we've had some breakdowns that resulted in goals but nothing about how we go about things has changed,"" senior defender Emily Morris said. ""We're not really worried. Goals happen, it's part of hockey. Otherwise it wouldn't be a very fun game.""
Wisconsin enters the game with the top offense and defense in the conference. The Gophers are converting 25 percent of their power plays against conference foes.
These two teams have won the past four national titles and are two of the top teams in the sport's history. Wisconsin beat Minnesota in the 2006 national title game 3-0 to get the program's first title. But the Badgers will not focus on their place in history.
""We can't really think about the historical factor. When you get thinking about those kinds of things and everything, you kind of get too caught up in what's going on,"" junior center Erika Lawler said. ""I think if we just go out there and play our game, y'know, that's what we got to stick to.""
Junior Alycia Mathews earned the WCHA defensive player of the week award after registering four points last weekend. She is the second Badger to earn a player of the week award after freshman forward Mallory Deluce.
Overall, there is still a great deal of tradition in this long-standing rivalry, and that usually results in competitive games.
""Whether it's a border battle, or whatever you want to call it, there's going to be an instant rivalry just because there are lots of kids from Minnesota that attend Wisconsin and vice-versa,"" Johnson said. ""When I first started, Minnesota won a couple of national championships and we've been able to do that the last couple years. It's a lot of fun when we get together and usually it's the spectators who get rewarded with good competition and good games.""
