No. 1 Wisconsin women’s hockey split the weekend against No. 3 Minnesota in a hard fought battle at Ridder Arena. The Badgers lost in overtime Friday 3-2 before rallying on Saturday for a 6-1 victory.
It was a weekend of trial and error as both teams were at a deficit due to players being gone for the 2026 Winter Olympics. For Wisconsin, goaltender Rhyah Stewart made her second career start, with her last coming in the Smashville Women’s Collegiate Hockey Showcase in November.
Both teams came out hard and fast, knowing that the last time they met led to a split series. After a minute, forward Hannah Halverson was slammed into the boards and looked like she injured her left knee. Down four skaters, the Badgers could not afford to lose any players.
The Golden Gophers struck first, as defenseman Sydney Morrow came down the slot and hit Stewart's left side. Stewart successfully blocked it but Morrow, on her own rebound, was able to slide the puck through on the right.
The period passed by as neutral zone turnovers became the norm. Although Wisconsin was down a goal, they possessed control of the puck far more than Minnesota could.
Just about halfway through, forward and alternate captain Kelly Gorbatenko rang the first shots for the Badgers at goalie Hannah Clark, but both shots went out just wide of the post.
Luckily for the Badgers, Halverson made a reappearance on the ice, helping to recontrol Wisconsin’s zone time. Neither team was able to find the back of the net the rest of the period.
Coming out of the intermission, the Gophers seemed to adjust to the new lineups, spending more time in Wisconsin’s zone.
With Stewart getting more looks, it was obvious she was playing a more conservative game, covering the puck when it could have been played.
Halverson was called on a cross checking halfway through the second period, giving the Gophers the first advantage of the weekend. Forward Maggie Scannell was able to clear it, killing the penalty.
With 5:30 minutes remaining in the second period, newly announced captain and forward Lacey Eden scored her 20th goal of the season, capitalizing off a rebound. Minutes later it was forward Finely McCarthy who sniped a shot on Clark’s glove side to get the Badgers up 2-1.
It took a while for both teams to get going in the third period. About six minutes in, Minnesota went on another power play, though the Badgers were able to keep the puck from finding the back of the net. But it was the momentum from the power play that led forward Avery Hovland to tie the game for Minnesota. Hovland raced down the ice and was able to ripple one past Stewart.
Wisconsin had a chance to go up on the Gophers when a puck was loose on the crease line, but Clark was able to cover it.
With 1:26 left in regulation, Cassie Hall went out for tripping, sending Minnesota into a crucial power play. The Gophers were not able to pass the Badgers defense, sending the teams into overtime.
Just as overtime began, Hall was let out of the box and was able to steal the puck on a one-on-one. She tried to backhand it in, but Clark was able to extend a leg out.
Seconds later, Gopher defenseman Molly Jordan centered the puck and scored the game winning goal.
Saturday
Coming off an upsetting game Friday night, the Badgers were looking to turn things around Saturday night. With head coach Mark Johnson unable to coach because of personal matters, Dan Koch took the helm.
Wisconsin was also without Halverson, who sat the game out in precaution for her leg, which led Mackenzie Jones to take her line slot. Meanwhile, Minnesota made a goalie change for the start of the game, starting Layla Hemp in the crease.
Wisconsin started things off early, as the Badgers got the advantage on the power play just a minute and half in. Six seconds later, Hall scored off a faceoff with a pass from Laney Potter to give Wisconsin an early 1-0 advantage.
Minnesota struggled to keep the puck out of their own zone, ultimately giving the Badgers more looks on goal. The Gophers could not catch a break as the Badgers would go on their second power play.
Hall tried to center another shot, but it hit Hemp’s pads. Vivian Jungles grabbed the rebound and scored, putting the Badgers up 2-0 just nine minutes in.
Two minutes later, Gorbatenko picked off the puck and patiently passed it to Hall for her second goal of the game.
Hoping to change up momentum, Minnesota head coach Brad Frost made the decision to bring Clark back in goal. The period, however, stood at 3-0.
To kick off the second period, Scannell was able to backhand the puck right next to the post, extending Wisconsin’s lead to 4-0.
The Gophers found themselves getting more offensive time but were not able to beat the Badgers.
Capitalizing off loose pucks, the Badgers were able to force turnovers, recontrolling the period. With 10:41 left to play in the second, Eden slid the puck over to Hall who secured her first hat trick in 107 games, sending the Badgers to a 5-0 lead.
Minutes later, Jungles snipped a shot from the blue line, not giving Clark time to react.
The Gophers finally got going in the third period, when defenseman Chloe Primerano scored from the blue line.
Potter took a shoulder resulting in a Wisconsin power play. Trying to extend the lead even more, Emma Venusio blasted the puck, but Clark was able to glove it.
The Gophers took better care of the puck throughout the period, not giving the Badgers many more chances to score.
Ticking down to the end of the game, the Gophers went two-on-one, but Stewart was able to tip the puck slightly to keep the game 6-1.
This was a necessary win for the Badgers, giving them confidence in their new lineups as they take on No. 2 Ohio State at home this week.
