No. 1 Wisconsin Sweeps Women's Hockey

by Dan Myers
Issue date: 11/7/06 Section: Womens Sports

Facing the nation's No. 1 team and defending national champion is never easy. But that was not the only challenge facing the Minnesota State women's hockey team this weekend at All Seasons Arena.

While a sweep would have evened their record in conference, it would have also reversed nearly a decade of history. Since they began playing in 1999, the Mavericks had never beaten Wisconsin. And although they stayed competitive all night Friday in a losing effort, UW took advantage of Maverick penalties Saturday, following a 3-1 win with a 6-1 decision to take the sweep.

MSU kept pace through the first 20 minutes Friday, finishing the first period knotted at one. But the Badgers used a goal in each of the remaining two periods to earn the win.

"Our kids battled and competed," said Mavericks head coach Jeff Vizenor. "[Friday's] game was outstanding, we played so well and so smart. We just need to get the puck to bounce the right way."

"We were very happy to come away with two wins," said UW head coach Mark Johnson. "Both games were very competitive. It's a good place to come play, especially when you can get wins."

Saturday's finale was also knotted at one after one, and it looked like the Mavericks would once again have a chance to deal UW its first loss this season. But a pair of second period goals, followed by three more in the third gave the Badgers a 6-1 win. Of UW's six goals, four came with the man advantage, the decisive stat on the afternoon.

Included in the Maverick penalty parade was a five-minute major for former Badger Lindsay Macy, playing her old team for the first time. The checking from behind call ejected Macy from the game, ending a frustrating weekend in which the junior was held scoreless and accounted for 15 penalty minutes - 11 on Saturday.

"As things started going against her, it just got more and more frustrating for her," Vizenor said. "It's something she will have to learn and grow from."

The victory extended the Badger unbeaten streak to 24 games, tops in the nation.

"The difference right now is just the little things," said MSU forward Shera Vis. "Somehow, the bounces just don't seem to go in for us right now."

One bright spot for the Mavericks was their goalie. Although she earned a loss in both games, and gave up five goals in game two, it was Britni Kehler who gave the Mavs a chance. She followed her 29 save effort Friday by stopping 46 shots Saturday before Vizenor removed her halfway through the third.

"I told her it had nothing to do with her," Vizenor said. "It had nothing to do with her performance, but she needed a break. It was time for the shelling to stop."

"[Saturday's game] would have been a lot worse had she not played so well," Vis said. "We need to score more goals for her."

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor