Wisconsin women's hockey could play spoiler at first-place Minnesota
MADISON – A weekly look at the Wisconsin women’s hockey team.
FOR THE RECORD
The Badgers are ranked No. 8 in the USCHO and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine polls. They split with then-No. 14 St. Cloud State, falling 1-0 to the Huskies Friday and winning 3-2 on Saturday.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Jesse Compher comes through in clutch for UW
When the Badgers needed a lift last week, Jesse Compher provided what has been her finest moment of the season. The senior, who represented the United States in the Olympics last year, had a three-point afternoon in the Badgers' victory Saturday.
Compher scored her 10th goal of the season at the 10:11 mark of the first period and assisted freshman Caroline Harvey on the go-ahead score at 11:34. Compher’s assist to freshman Laila Edwards in the fourth minute of the second period proved to be the game-winner.
NOTEBOOK
Laila Edwards honored by WCHA
In what has been a habit this season, the WCHA honored a Badger with rookie of the week distinction. This time the honor went to Edwards, who recorded an assist and then scored the winning goal against St. Cloud State on Saturday. All five of the team’s freshman skaters have received the distinction this season.
In addition to the assist by Compher, Edwards’ goal was assisted by her sister, Chayla, the second time the two teamed up on a score this season.
"It’s been a lot of fun. I’ve been watching her play for years. I already know how she plays, so it’s easy to play with her," Laila Edwards said. "Our games play well together because she’s sometimes laid back but can be an offensive defenseman. (On the goal) I saw an area of open ice and I knew she would give it to me."
Line shuffle boosts Badgers offense
UW coach Mark Johnson placed Laila Edwards on a line with Compher and Britta Curl on Saturday and the move provided immediate results. Those three players were on the ice for each of the team’s goals in a much-needed bounce-back effort against St. Cloud.
Edwards, who is 6-foot, adds a physical presence to the unit in addition to being a skillful passer.
“For some reason I felt like I knew where she was the whole time and we were able to connect a little bit,” Curl said. “She’s a big body. She goes to the net. She plays in difficult areas, which I really appreciated. I think maybe she gave our line a little juice that we were missing.”
BY THE NUMBERS
3 Points the Badgers need to guarantee a top-three seed for the WCHA playoffs.
5 Victories over ranked opponents for UW.
.471 All-time winning percentage for Wisconsin at Minnesota’s Ridder Arena (23-20-8).
COMING UP
UW could play spoiler role in series with Minnesota
At No. 3/3 Minnesota, 6 p.m. Friday and 7:30 p.m. Saturday: Minnesota leads the race for the WCHA title by two points, but with second-place Ohio State set to play seventh-place St. Thomas this week, the Gophers will probably have to win both games to maintain their hold on first place. The Badgers, meanwhile, have something to prove after the five-game losing streak they experienced during the toughest part of their schedule. Wisconsin won the series in November, scoring a 3-3 tie in Game 1 on Nov. 19 and a 4-1 victory in Game 2 the next day. The game Friday can be seen on Big Ten Network+ or the Bally Sports North Extra. The game Saturday will be on the Big Ten Network.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin women's hockey could play spoiler at first-place Minnesota
