Wisconsin women's hockey celebrates a goal against Bemidji State on Oct. 20
Taylor Wolfram

Women's Hockey

Five Things to Know: No. 2 Badgers head to battle Beavers

UW takes final road trip of the regular season to Bemidji

MADISON, Wis. – The second-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team is headed on the road for the final time this regular season as they make their way to northern Minnesota to face Bemidji State. Puck drop for Friday’s opener at the Sanford Center is set for 6 p.m., while Saturday’s finale will begin at 3 p.m.

Fans can watch the action on Big Ten Plus or listen to the games on The Game 1070 or via the iHeart Radio app as Reid Magnum wil have the call. 
 

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Wisconsin vs. Bemidji State

Kelly Gorbatenko celebrates a goal against SCSU

1. LAST TIME OUT

The Badgers last hosted No. St. Cloud State this past weekend at LaBahn Arena, starting with an exciting 2-1 overtime win on Saturday night, before a 5-2 Sunday night triumph in the series finale. 

Caroline Harvey lifted UW to a win on Saturday after calling game with a shot to the top-shelf just under three minutes into overtime. 

On Sunday, Laney Potter scored twice to give the Badgers the edge over the Huskies to complete the season sweep of SCSU. Goalies Jane Gervais and Ava McNaughton each picked up a win in the sweep.

Caroline Harvey celebrates a goal against SCSU on Feb. 4

2. HARVEY EARNS WEEKLY HONORS

For the second time this season, Wisconsin sophomore Caroline Harvey earned WCHA Defender of the Week honors. 

A native of Salem, New Hampshire, Harvey posted three points in the sweep over the Huskies, including a thrilling game-winning goal in overtime in the series opener on Saturday night. 

The defender also found the back of the net in Sunday’s 5-2 victory, giving the Badgers the lead after capitalizing on the power play. Her two goals tied for the lead among league defenders.

3. A LOOK AROUND THE PWHL

The Professional Women’s Hockey League is entering the second month of play with PWHL Montreal in the lead with 17 points. Former Badger Ann-Renée Desbiens has started in the net in six of the nine games for Montreal where she has put up a record of 3-1-1. 

Eleven of the 13 Wisconsin skaters on PWHL rosters have tallied a point, including Abby Roque who has posted six points on two goals and four assists. 

Additionally, the PWHL hosted the first ever PWHL 3-on-3 Showcase, which took place during the NHL All Star event. Roque, Desbiens and fellow Badger alum Hilary Knight, Emily Clark, Sarah Nurse and Blayre Turnbull all participated in the event.

Wisconsin women's hockey celebrates a win at center ice

4. WINNING WAYS

The Badgers are on a hot streak as they have won 11 in a row heading into this weekend. This is the second time this season that UW has won more than 10 in a row, as they started the year off with a 12-game winning streak. 

This marks the 19th time the team has won 10 or more in a row and the fifth time that there has been two or more winning streaks of this length in one season. Wisconsin's longest win streak in a singular season was 17 games at the beginning of the 2017-18 season. 

Casey O’Brien has enjoyed an impressive 21 points on five goals and 16 assists throughout the 11 games, while Lacey Eden has posted 18 points during the streak. Ava McNaughton has captured six wins, while Jane Gervais has enjoyed five wins, including a shutout.

Britta Curl against Bemidji State

5. AGAINST THE BEAVERS

Wisconsin leads the all-time series against Bemidji State, 90-7-5, including two wins from earlier in the season at LaBahn Arena. 

The Badgers outscored the Beavers 12-1 in the October tilts, starting with a 4-0 shutout in the series opener, before UW conquered BSU 8-1 in the finale. 

Historically, Wisconsin seniors Casey O’Brien and Britta Curl have shined against the Beavers, with O’Brien having posted 22 points throughout her career and Curl tallying 18.