Nicole LaMantia's tone-setting play leads our look at Wisconsin women's hockey
MADISON – A weekly look at the University of Wisconsin women’s hockey team:
FOR THE RECORD
UW holds steady at No. 2 in nation
The Badgers (16-3-1) remained ranked No. 2 in the USA Today/USA Hockey poll following a split with Quinnipiac in a non-conference series played in Hamden, Connecticut. The Badgers scored a 3-0 victory Saturday and lost, 3-0, on Sunday.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Nicole LaMantia sets tone, joins exclusive company
Senior defenseman Nicole LaMantia's goal in the second minute of the first period off assists from Britta Curl and Jesse Compher proved to be the game-winner in the Badgers’ 3-0 victory at Quinnipiac on Saturday.
The goal was LaMantia’s 10th of the season, making her the first UW defender since Meaghan Mikkelson and Bobbi-Jo Slusar in 2007 to record 10 goals in a single season. Only eight defenseman have reached that mark in school history.
She helped set the tone for an strong return to play for the team after a three-week break.
"We played at a real high level for a couple of games," UW coach Mark Johnson said. "We’ve been in a hostile environment, good crowds. It was a good way to start the second half."
NOTABLE
WCHA rookie honor for Kirsten Simms
Freshman forward Kirsten Simms was named the WCHA rookie of the month for December. She scored seven points in leading the Badgers to a 5-0 mark. She recorded a point in every game but especially shined in a sweep of Minnesota State-Mankato on Dec. 9-10 when she posted a four-point weekend.
Britta Curl, Sophie Shirley team up for one play, two milestones
Seniors Britta Curl and Sophie Shirley teamed up for the Badgers' final goal against Quinnipiac on Saturday and made history. The score made Curl the program’s 29th 100-point scorer and Shirley the ninth player in program history to record 100 assists.
“We were laughing at how we’re going to split that puck up,” Shirley said. “I don’t know if we’re going to cut it in half or what we’re going to do for that memorabilia. It was super-cool to do that with her because we started out as freshman together.”
Jane Gervais nearing return to Badgers
Sophomore Jane Gervais suffered a leg injury during the second game of the Minnesota series Nov. 20 but returned to practice.
“I’m looking at her to have a good, firm week of practice and see where she’s at Friday when we finish practice and get ready for Saturday and Sunday,” Johnson said. “Things are looking in a positive direction of getting her some time this weekend but the next three or four days will dictate that.”
BY THE NUMBERS
16 Shot advantage for the Badgers in the loss to Quinnipiac on Sunday.
6 Shutouts for UW this season.
.833 Winning percentage for the Badgers vs. Duluth at LaBahn Arena.
COMING UP
Rematch with Duluth on tap
vs. No. 8 Minnesota Duluth, 1 p.m. Saturday (BTN+) and noon Sunday (BTN+): The Badgers split two down-to-the-wire games at Duluth in October. The Bulldogs enter play in fourth-place in the WCHA though five of the team’s six losses have come by one goal. This will be their first series since Dec. 10.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nicole LaMantia has tone-setting play for Wisconsin women's hockey
