The No. 1 Wisconsin women's hockey team looks to continue its undefeated season against No. 2 Minnesota this weekend at the Kohl Center.
The Badgers (8-0-0) are coming off a dominating performance at the first U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game where they beat Bemidji State 9-0. Although players have been happy with the team's performance so far, they are quick to point out that this weekend will be some of the hardest hockey the team will play all season.
Senior captain Erika Lawler said the Gophers and Minnesota-Duluth, who come to the Kohl Center next weekend, are much faster teams than anyone else the Badgers have played so far.
Everything is going to have to go at a completely new level, all the way from communication to energy, to puck movement to support, to everything,"" she said.
Junior forward Kyla Sanders, the only Badger to score multiple goals during the Hall of Fame game, said this series will be much more physical than past games.
""We're just going to have to keep competing and battling,"" she said. ""I think those are our main points that we need to focus on.""
Competing should not be a problem for the Badgers. So far they are 4-0-0 in conference play and every member of the team has contributed to the success. Sanders said the freshmen have
especially had an impact.
""They fit in perfectly,"" she said. ""They fit right into the mix so everything's working out.""
Lawler said the freshmen have contributed not only on the ice, but in the locker room as well.
""I think they're all really good kids and really fun to be around and I think that that's very important,"" she said. ""They're awesome hockey players to say the least, and I think their personalities even make them that much more important to the team.""
Another important aspect of the Badgers' success so far this season has been senior goalie Jessie Vetter. She enters this weekend with a 0.63 goals against average, which is first in the nation. She has four shutouts on the season.
Her teammates definitely appreciate having Vetter in the net.
""She's an awesome goalie. She is the best,"" Sanders said.
Even with all the success so far, Lawler said it is still early in the season and the Badgers cannot focus on past games if they want to be successful.
""It's important for us to not really think of the games we've had in the past and our high scoring games and stuff because it's going to be completely different,"" she said. ""A whole new realm for us.""
Though the games this weekend may be the hardest of the season, according to Sanders, the team's goal is simple.
""We obviously just want to keep winning.
Just playing hard every single game and competing every time we step onto the ice,"" she said.
The Badgers will face-off with Minnesota Friday and Sunday at 2 p.m.
