Much like yesterday, a goal-scoring explosion in the first period gave visiting Wisconsin (9-3-0, 7-3-0 WCHA) the win, completing the sweep in its first ever series against North Dakota (3-10-1, 3-9-0 WCHA).
Senior Jackie Friesen scored the game winner for the second afternoon in a row in the 7-2 victory. Friesen had two goals, both of which came on rebounds in front.
“That’s usually my style,” she said. “My goal is to come out and play hard every shift and help the team any way I can.”
Her effort was contagious, as the Badgers played hard and didn’t let UND get much going. Wisconsin scored five goals in the first period alone and limited UND to only two shots in the first period and one shot in the third.
The second period was North Dakota’s best offensive period with eight shots and two goals scored. The effort was there for the Sioux, but the luck was not. Wisconsin kept everything outside and blocked over half of UND’s shot attempts.
“They got a break, then scored on the rebound, that was kind of a back-breaker right there,” said UND head coach Shantel Rivard, of the first Wisconsin goal by Lindsay Macy just 44 seconds into the game. “Overall, we did not give up, I’m very pleased with [the effort].”
The second Badger goal came from freshman Jinelle Zaugg at 5:11 of the first, followed by Friesen’s eventual game winner at 8:02. Sophomore Kristen Witting and junior Cyndy Kenyon also netted goals in the first period.
Kenyon’s goal came on the Wisconsin power play, which went 2-for-3 for the game. UND went 1-for-5 on its power play.
UND’s power play goal came from freshman Cami Wooster, who netted her seventh goal of the year. Sophomore Sarah Connelly also netted an even strength goal in the second period, her third of the year.
The Badgers balanced their goal-scoring between six players and kept up their pace up by rolling four lines to keep fresh legs on the ice.
“It’s nice to see,” said Badger head coach Mark Johnson of the balanced scoring. “It’s good to play well and get some people some confidence.”
Sophomore Meaghan Mikkelson scored her first goal of the season and assisted on Friesen’s second goal on the power play. Both had two-point games and three points for the weekend.
Wisconsin was also very strong defensively, allowing very little Sioux pressure.
Junior goalie Meghan Horras, who saw only 11 shots, stopped nine of them for the win. She moved her record to 5-2-0 on the year.
UND junior goaltender Amber Hasbargen, who was credited with the loss, allowed three goals on eight shots before being replaced by fellow junior Margaret-Ann Hinkley. Hinkley finished with 15 saves. Hasbargen’s record fell to 2-6-0 this season.
North Dakota travels east next weekend to face Quinnipiac, while Wisconsin heads to Boston to play Harvard and Northeastern.
