(UW ATHLETICS) MADISON, Wis. – A two-goal performance from defender Laney Potter helped the No. 1 Wisconsin women’s hockey team (5-0-0, 1-0-0 WCHA) to a 5-1 win over the No. 3 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (3-2-0, 2-1-0 WCHA) at LaBahn arena in Madison Saturday.
The Badgers opened the scoring about halfway through the first period. Not more than 20 seconds elapsed in Wisconsin’s second power play of the game when a pass across the slot from Kristen Simms found a wide-open Laila Edwards who buried the puck in the back of the net.
Five minutes into the second period, Wisconsin extended its lead to two. Kelly Gorbatenko sent a pass to Potter, who broke through the UMD defense and tucked it past the Bulldog netminder.
The Bulldogs scored to close the gap to one with just over eight minutes to play in the second period. The Badgers responded with a goal of their own to end the second period with a 3-1 advantage. On a three-on-three rush, Caroline Harvey threaded a pass across the slot to Cassie Hall, who one-timed the puck into the back of the net.
With a two-goal lead in the third period, Wisconsin continued to battle. With 6:43 to play, Potter found the loose puck and tapped it in the back of the Bulldogs’ net for her second goal of the game.
With just 15 seconds to play, the Badgers took advantage of an odd-man rush and Kelly Gorbatenko tucked in a shot in the top bin to secure a 5-1 Badger victory.
Notes of the Game
- Six Badgers — Casey O’Brien, Laila Edwards, Kirsten Simms, Cassie Hall and Caroline Harvey — extended their point streaks to five, each putting at least one point on the board in all five of the Badgers’ games so far.
- The Badgers have killed off all 11 of their opponent’s power-play opportunities they’ve allowed through their first five games, including three on Saturday.
- Wisconsin averages 7.8 goals per game after Saturday’s performance for a goal differential of 39-3.
Straight from the Rink
UW head coach Mark Johnson
On the competition level heating up:
“At the end of the first period, I talked about how our heat level has to jump up a couple of steps. The first 20 minutes was good for us because we didn’t have the puck as much as we did in the previous four games. So how are we going to play without the puck? Are we going to compete at that high level against a good opponent?”
On the freshmen:
“I think for our younger players, this weekend and next weekend, they are going to grow from it. They’re good players, they just need to get their feet wet amongst top teams in the country. Playing tonight, playing tomorrow night and then next weekend in Minnesota, they’ll grow from it and become better.”
Sophomore Goaltender Ava McNaughton
In response to playing against chances near the net:
“They were looking for shots on the point. It’s so important to get a good rebound in the corner, away from the middle, so they can’t pack it in. They’re pretty strong in front, trying to put one past me off a rebound. Their first shot almost went in, and it could’ve been a completely different game. I’m grateful for the defense for that one. I just need to be mindful of rebounds in those situations and make sure I compete.”
Sophomore defender Laney Potter
On playing with more confidence:
“I worked really hard to make that jump this summer, and making sure that I play the role that I’m given. A lot of it is done in practice, and the game is just where we get to implement it.”
Up Next: No. 1 Wisconsin plays game two of the series against No. 3 UMD on Sunday at 2 p.m. at LaBahn Arena. Tickets are sold out.
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