The Wisconsin women’s hockey team emerged victorious on Saturday, triumphing over No. 6 Minnesota-Duluth with a score of 3-0. The game, hosted at La Bahn Arena, witnessed senior Britta Curl and junior Lacey Eden each contributing one goal and one assist to secure the win. The triumph held particular significance as it marked the return of sophomore Caroline “KK” Harvey, an All-American player who had missed seven games due to a lower-body injury.
With Harvey back on the ice, she played a pivotal role by assisting in UW’s final two goals and taking three shots, proving indispensable to the team’s success. This game marked the team’s first at home since their previous sweep of Bemidji State on Oct. 20-21. With the Badgers now at a record of 13-2, and 9-2 in the WCHA, there was considerable pressure to perform. The team had also faced a break of two weekends off in the last three, posing a challenge to regain their competitive momentum.
According to Badgers coach Mark Johnson, the initial minutes of the game were challenging as the team had to readjust. However, by halfway through the first period, they appeared to have found their rhythm. The return of Kristen Simms, who had missed the series finale at Ohio State on Nov. 18, bolstered the team’s strength, contributing to a solid defensive game for the Badgers.
The victory also marked the fourth shutout of the season for junior goaltender Jane Gervais and the first game-winning goal for freshman Kelly Gorbatenko. The team’s defensive prowess was evident, allowing only 10 shots in the first period and the same number of shots over the final two periods, a testament to their strong performance on the ice.
Wisconsin outshot the Bulldogs with 51 shots compared to 20 by the opposing team. Curl, with a team-high of 12 shots, played a significant role in maintaining their offensive pressure, alongside Eden and Harvey who contributed to the Badgers’ final two goals. Gervais, having witnessed Harvey’s return firsthand, expressed her awe at the seamless transition, stating that it felt as if Harvey had never left and that her presence made a substantial impact on the game.
The return of key players and the stellar performance on the ice against Minnesota-Duluth undoubtedly sets the tone for the remainder of the season for the Wisconsin women’s hockey team. This victory serves as a testament to their skill, determination, and teamwork, leaving fans eager to witness more of their winning form in future games.