Badger Women 3 - US Select Team 2

With a 3-2 victory, the Badger Women have become the 1st WCHA team to defeat the US Select Team this year. The Select Team had previously defeated Bemidji, Minnesota, UND, SCSU, Mankato, and Ohio State, as well as Mercyhurst. (For those of you who don't follow women's hockey all that closely, Mercyhurst is one of the top teams in college hockey, as is Wisconsin and Minnesota.) Congratulations, Badgers!

The Cap Times has the game story, with pictures!

Your Badger goals were scored by Brooke Ammerman (Rachel Bible), Maria Evans (Emily Kranz), and Hilary Knight (Angie Kesely, Erika Lawler).

I gotta tell ya, it was a lot of fun to see the Badger Women play a competive opponent, as those blowouts games tend to get a bit boring by the end of the 1st or 2nd period. This was some seriously good hockey. If you didn't get a chance to make the game this year, make sure you get to next year's game when Team USA again takes on the Badger Women.

The Select Team includes Jinelle Zaugg (who just joined the team after finishing her studies at the UW in December), Molly Engstrom, and Kerry Weiland (who played limited minutes as she's recovering from an injury). Composed of post-collegiate players participating in the Blaine Residency, the Select Team typically plays with a pretty short bench -- the USA website lists 9 forwards and 5 defenseman -- making for a lot of minutes for each player, especially on D as Weiland recovers from her injury. Two players were added to the roster for this weekend only to bring the total up to 16 skaters.

International Badgers: Sunday update

WJC
Cody Goloubef and Team Canada defeated Russia 6-5 in the semifinals yesterday. Goloubef was held off the scoresheet.

hockeycanada: recap/box
iihf: recap
bleacherreport: Jordan Eberle the hero, Does it get any better than this?, Canada and Sweden go to the finals
tsn: recap

I'm having difficulty today with the IIHF website, so I can't find the IIHF box score, which has a bit more info than the box score at the end of the hockeycanada recap. So if any enterprising readers find it, please post it in the comments or send me an email at sixtymin@gmail.com

Goloubef is currently 2nd among all skaters in the tourney (behind CAN defenseman PK Subban) with a +/- of +9. Nice work, Cody!

Canada will take on Sweden in the gold medal game Monday at 6:30 CST. (Russia will play Slovakia at 2:30 CST for the bronze.)

And in case you forgot, Ryan McDonagh and Team USA play the Czech Republic at 6:30 CST tonight for 5th place.

World U17
Team USA lost 6-5 to Canada Pacific in their semifinal matchup. Forward Michael Mersch had 1 goal, and defenseman Frankie Simonelli had 1 assist.

They'll play Canada West for the bronze this afternoon at 2 PM CST. (Canada Pacific will play Ontario for the gold at 7 PM CST.)

US Select Team
The US Women's Select team was winless this weekend, losing 3-2 to the Badger Women on Friday and 4-2 to the Madison Capitols AAA boys team on Saturday. The US Select Team is comprised of post-collegiate players who are participating in the Blaine Residency, including Badgers Kerry Weiland, Molly Engstrom, and Jinelle Zaugg. Zaugg recently joined the residency after completing her studies at the UW in December. Weiland played limited minutes of Friday but didn't dress on Saturday, as she's recovering from an injury. It's worth noting that the Select Team typically plays with a pretty short bench -- 9 forwards (including Zaugg who just joined the team) and 5 defenseman (including Weiland who's been injured). Two players were added to the roster for this weekend only to bring the total to 16 skaters.

The Badger Women are the first WCHA team to defeat the Select Team, which was previously 6-0-0 against WCHA oppenents with wins over Bemidji, Minnesota, UND, SCSU, Mankato, and Ohio State.

Both games were a lot of fun to watch, as the competition was excellent. The attendance at Friday's game was pretty good, but the attendance at Saturday's game was disappointing (although not surprising given the lack of promotion). I believe that the US team will be back next year to play the Badger Women again!

Women's MLP Cup
In their first game of the MLP Cup on Friday, Team Canada defeated Finland 3-0. Badgers Mallory Deluce and Brittany Haverstock were held off the scoresheet. They play Russia today at 9 AM CST. The semifinals take place on Monday, with the medal games on Tuesday.

Women's World U18s
Just a reminder that the Women's U18s start on Monday in Dussen, Germany. Mark Johnson is head coach of Team USA. Team USA also includes future Badger Brianna Decker and potential future badger Brittany Ammerman. Team Canada includes future Badgers Breann Frykas and Saige Pacholuk.

On Monday, CAN faces SUI at 9:30 AM CST and USA faces RUS at 12:30 PM CST.

Badger Women odds & ends

• USA Hockey's latest Blaine Residency article features Badger alum Molly Engstrom:

  “If you were ever looking for a steady, solid player, she is it,” Osieki said. “She doesn’t look like she’s fancy or spectacular, but, boy, she really is. She never makes mistakes, never gets beat, never makes a bad pass. There are no weaknesses to her game.”
  

  Nice!


• Badger assistant captain Alycia Matthews is featured in the 2nd installment of the captains interviews on uwbadgers.com. (Includes video link.)


• You can become a Women's Hockey Insider by signing up for Buckymail and checking the box for women's hockey. (I don't know what you get on the women's side, but on the men's side Paul Capobianco sends out twice weekly emails.)


• Over on the USCHO fan forum, Hux has some awesome pictures of Badger recruits Brianna Decker and Alev Kelter. (Posted on 10/9 and 10/10.) Thanks for sharing, Hux!
  

Badgers sweep Syracuse, Blaine sweeps Mercyhurst

As you know, the Badger Women swept Syracuse this weekend. Here are box scores and recaps.

Friday: Badgers 3 - Syracuse 0 Box, uwbadgers recap, suathletics recap, WSJ recap
Saturday: Badgers 8 - Syracuse 0 Box, uwbadgers recap, suathletics recap, WSJ recap

A couple of brief notes:

• Carolyne Prévost had 13 SOG this weekend -- 7 on Friday and 6 on Saturday.
• Jessie Vetter recorded her 27 SO on Friday. Vetter and Alannah McCready combined to SO Syracuse on Saturday.
• Brooke Ammeman had a 5 goal weekend -- 1 on Friday and 4 on Saturday
  

Uwbadgers has a nice article about the Badgers' offensive depth, mostly focusing on Ammerman's 4 goals on Saturday. It has some nice quotes by Ammerman and Erika Lawler.

“I got lucky,” Ammerman said. “Sometimes it happens like that. I tried to pass it across and it ended up going in. I am really happy about the hat trick. It feels awesome. I can’t really explain it.”

“We have a great coaching staff, it’s a great school, the girls are great here and I couldn’t see it better anywhere else,” Ammerman said. “I really have to thank my teammates for making it so easy for me.”

“Last night I texted her and I was like, ‘Hey Brooke I just wanted to let you know that you are playing great,” Lawler said. “You’re play beyond your years,’ She doesn’t play like she’s a freshman. She’s very composed out there and very confident. She does her job very well and I think that she’s just a phenomenal player. She’s very knowledgeable about the game. I think she’s a standout and such an asset to this team. Her early success has been great and I am really confident that it will carry on throughout the season.”

The Blaine Residency Program swept Mercyhurst the weekend. Nothing is available on usahockey yet, but I do have recaps from the Mercyhurst website, as well as box scores:

Friday: USA 4 - Mercyhurst 1 Box, hurstathletics recap
Saturday: USA 4 - Mercyhurst 2 Box, hurstathletics recap

Molly Engstrom had 2 assists on Friday and 1 assist on Saturday. Kerry Weiland had 1 assist on Saturday. (Jinelle Zaugg will be joining the residency program in Dec/Jan.)


I already posted other Friday scores around the NCAA. Here are Saturday scores:

Saturday, October 4 - Women:
Syracuse           0 at Wisconsin          8 NC      Box       12:07 pm    
  Boston University  0 at Rensselaer         2 NC      Box        2:00 pm    
* Mercyhurst         2 vs Team USA           4 EX      Box        2:00 pm    
  North Dakota       7 at Maine              3 NC      Box        2:00 pm    
  Clarkson           0 at Boston College     2 NC      Box        2:00 pm    
  Bemidji State      1 at Wayne State        2 NC  OT  Box        2:00 pm    
  Connecticut        2 at Minnesota State    4 NC      Box        3:07 pm    
  Ohio State         3 at Providence         2 NC      Box        4:00 pm    
  Northeastern       6 at Union              0 NC      Box        4:00 pm    
  St. Cloud State    5 at Quinnipiac         3 NC      Box        4:00 pm    
  Minnesota Duluth   6 at Niagara            1 NC      Box        7:00 pm    
  Robert Morris      1 at Minnesota          7 NC      Box        7:07 pm    
* - Blaine, MN

• Minnesota must not have taken too kindly to being beaten by RMU on Friday, as they rebounded with a 7-1 victory last night.
• It's not often that you see North Dakota score 7 goals. I understand Maine might not be the strongest opponent, but still.
• Looks like the Bemidji program might be on it's way up. Last season, they won all of 4 games. But they defeated Wayne State on Friday and took them to OT on Saturday before losing in OT. Last season, Wayne State had a 22-9-3 record.
  

Blaine Badgers defeat Mercyhurst

The Blaine Residency team, including Badger Molly Engstrom and Kerry Weiland, defeated Mercyhurst 4-1 tonight in Blaine, MN. Engstrom had 1 assist and finished +2 for the evening. Weiland was held off the scoresheet and finished even.

During the course of the season, Team USA will play all of the WCHA women's teams. Here's the schedule. Don't forget -- they'll be in Madison playing the Badgers on Jan 3 and the Madison Capitols on Jan 4!

Edit: Just a reminder that Jinelle Zaugg be will joining the Blaine Residency later this season (Dec or Jan).

Blaine Badgers defeat Bemidji, Minnesota

The Blaine Residency program recently played the Bemidji women and the Minnesota women. Team USA defeated Bemidji 7-0 on Saturday, and they also defeated Minnesota 3-2 in overtime on Sunday. Usahockey.com has a nice article about Sunday's victory. The article mentions Team USA's short bench -- on Saturday they dressed 12 skaters, and on Sunday they dressed 13 skaters.

Molly Engstrom had 3 assists and Kerry Weiland had 1 assist in the victory over Bemidji. Engstrom had 1 assist and Weiland was held off the scoresheet in the victory over Minnesota.

During the course of the season, Team USA will play the rest of the WCHA women's teams. Here's the schedule. Don't forget -- they'll be in Madison playing the Badgers on Jan 3 and the Madison Capitols on Jan 4!

Edit: Just a reminder that Jinelle Zaugg be will joining the Blaine Residency later this season (Dec or Jan).

A few Monday evening items

• Looks like Randy Schmidt is still suspended,although the WCHA isn't saying for how long. Apparently there's a bit of differing opinions among WCHA coaches. Hmmm.
  
  By the way, I think everyone will be happy with what the WCHA decided during the offseason:
  

  In the offseason, the WCHA altered its video replay procedures to give the operator more input into what the referee sees, without helping in the decision-making process, McLeod said. In previous years, the operator's sole role was to follow the referee's instructions on what to display on a rinkside monitor.
  
  Also, McLeod said, all officials on the ice will be able to view the replay and consult on the decision.

  
  

• Looks like Todd will be tabulating stats for UW men's recruits again this season. Yay TODD!


• Team USA opened the Blaine Residency program last Wednesday with a 4-2 victory over the Lumberjacks of the Minnesota Wild Men's Adult League.

Thursday Evening Odds & Ends

• Hockey Canada has announced its September Evaluation Camp roster and schedule. The camp will take place Sept 17-21 in Calgary, AB. In February, 22 players will be selected to play for Team Canada in the 2009 IIHF World Women's Championships. In the summer of 2009, up to 30 players will move to Calgary as part of centralization to train and work toward the 2010 Winter Olympics.
  

Badgers at the September camp include defensemen Carla MacLeod (2001-05, Calgary, AB), Meaghan Mikkelson (2003-07, St. Albert, AB), and Bobbie Jo Slusar (2003-07, Swift Current, SK).

• Caitlyn Cahow posted a blog entry yesterday with a brief blurb about the beginning of the Blaine Residency. Badgers currently at the residency include Molly Engstrom and Kerry Weiland. Jinelle Zaugg will join the residency later this year.

• USA Hockey has a nice article about recent Badger commit Alev Kelter. Sounds like a great pick-up for the Badgers!!

• The Ottawa Citizen has a nice article about Brian Elliott.

• Todd Milewski has a bit of information regarding the Badger Men's TV schedule.