The No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team secured their first sweep of the new year over the weekend,beating the St. Thomas Tommies 5-1 in both games.
After an intense battle in Duluth last week, the Badgers were looking to show fans they are ready for the second half of the season. The Badgers aimed for a fast start to get the momentum leaning their way and dominated the weekend series against St. Thomas.
Friday
Just 54 seconds into the first period on Friday, defender Emma Venusio scored off a faceoff in the Tommies’ zone, launching a shot from the blue line into the top corner.
Four minutes later, Ava Murphy went into the box for cross checking, allowing St. Thomas to go up on the power play. However, captain and defender Caroline Harvey centered a pass to Finley McCarthy for a Badgers’ shorthanded goal.
With 15 minutes remaining in the second period, alternate captain and forward Lacey Eden centered a pass to Kelly Gorbatenko, but Tommies defender Callie Rice pushed Gorbatenko away from the puck. The play resulted in a Wisconsin power play, though the Badgers were unable to capitalize on the advantage.
A few minutes later, Tommies defenseman Josie Skoogman set a screen on goalie Ava McNaughton, allowing Chloe Boreen to get one through McNaughton's legs.
Eden ripped a shot that rang off the crossbar and dropped in past the Tommies’ goalie to start the third period 3-1.
The Badgers were able to control the puck in the Tommies zone allowing forward Kirsten Simms to hit the top of the net for her 16th goal of the season.
To end the night. Eden was able to secure a tight angle goal giving the Badgers a 5-1 need. By significantly out shooting the Tommies 45-14, Wisconsin overwhelmed St. Thomas and cruised to a victory.
Saturday
The Badgers got on the board first on Saturday as alternate captain and defenseman Laila Edwards won a board battle, sending it back to Cassie Hall who scored in the crease.
After a defensive zone turnover three minutes later, Eden controlled the puck around Tommies goalie Julia Minotti for a backhanded goal.
As the Tommie bench was switching in a new line, Hall was able to center the puck for Kelly Gorbatenko to give the Badgers a commanding 3-0 lead to end the first period.
To begin the second period, St. Thomas forward Ella Boerger, after receiving a long pass from defenseman JuliAnna Gazdik, passed the puck to Rylee Bartz to get the Tommies on the board.
The puck spent a lot more time in the Badgers zone which ultimately kept them from securing a goal in the second period.
To open the third period, Hall capitalized on a rebound to make it a 4-1 game. The goal was upheld after officials reviewed for a potential hand pass.
St. Thomas had two power plays, but neither resulted in a Tommies goal. After an unsuccessful power play, the Tommies left the net empty in the final minute which allowed Eden to secure the final goal of the night from the Wisconsin defensive zone.
The Badgers closed out the weekend with a 5-1 win, marking the sixth straight game in which McNaughton has held an opponent to one goal. With the two wins against St. Thomas, Wisconsin remains undefeated all-time against the Tommies at 21-0-0.
The Badgers will return home to face Bemidji State on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s game will be Senior Day, honoring nine seniors.
