Knight leads the United States to GOLD

No matter who scored in Monday afternoon's OT thriller at the IIHF Women's World Championship, multiple Badgers were coming home with gold medals. It just so happened that USA forward Hilary Knight, who still has one season of eligibility remaining at Wisconsin found the back of the net.

The United States squad who captured the gold medal featured five current or former Badgers. Knight and Brianna Decker (who has two seasons of eligibility remaining) are the current Badgers. Recent grad and Patty Kazmaier Award winner Meghan Duggan, defenseman Molly Engstrom, and goaltender Jessie Vetter all starred in the past for the Badgers.

Knight was the most impressive player in the tournament, and led all scorers with 14 points in 5 games (5 goals, 9 assists). She also tied for the tournament lead in plus/minus at a plus 11. For her efforts, Knight was named to the all tournament team by a media panel.

Decker finished the tournament second in scoring with 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) and Meghan Duggan ended up fifth with 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists). Engstrom recorded two points from the blue line and was a +9. Jessie Vetter continued her brilliance in goal with a .952 save percentage and 1.28 GAA and saved her best in the gold medal game when she stopped 51 of 53 shots.

Two other former Badgers aren't going home empty handed. Team Canada defensemen Meghan Mikkelson and Bobbi Jo Slusar, both former University of Wisconsin stars played big roles for Team Canada. Slusar finished the tournament with a couple of points and was a +4 and Mikkelson's 3 goals and +10 rating in the tournament earned her the honor of being named the tournament's best defenseman.

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McCabe, Kerdiles Help USA To Four Nation Titles

It's been a tough season so far for 2011 Wisconsin recruit Jake McCabe (pictured). Upon returning to Ann Arbor earlier this fall the Eau Claire native learned that he had a stress fracture in his L-5 vertebra which is in the lower back. 8-12 weeks of rest and rehab were in store for the young defenseman.

McCabe was able to return for a warm up USHL game last weekend and made the trip to Sweden with his U18 teammates for the Four Nations Cup. McCabe must be feeling better. He chipped in a goal against Switzerland on Saturday and this morning Team USA beat Sweden 5-4 in a shootout to win their second consecutive Four Nations Cup at the U18 level.

The United States U17 experienced similar success this weekend. Thanks to Badger forward recruit Nic Kerdiles, who is looking like one of the premier players in the country for the 2012, the USA U17 squad was also able to capture gold in a 6-1 route of Russia. Kerdiles was great all tournament recording three goals and an assist in four games. The California native showed great consistency, recording a point in every game.

The United States women who were playing for the Womens Four Nations cup this weekend weren't as fortunate. Team Canada got the best of them in the championship game, winning 3-2 in overtime. Badger senior forward Meghan Duggan finished the tournament leading USA in scoring with five points. Former Badger Meaghan Mikkelson scored the game tying goal for team Canada and assisted on the game winner in overtime.

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MacLeod, Mikkelson Win Gold With Canada

I know a lot of Badger fans that read this blog are very disappointed with the 2-0 Canada victory over the United States in the Women's Gold Medal game last night.

Keep in mind that two Badgers did come out on top last night in the game. Former Badger defensemen Carla MacLeod and Meaghan Mikkelson are proud owners of shiny new Gold Medals.

MacLeod and Mikkelson played huge minutes throughout the tournament. In the medal game MacLeod played the second most minutes of any Canadian player.

Sadly, the biggest news from the game is the celebration that ensued after the Canadian victory. As you can tell from the picture on the left, they had a good time. Personally, I don't see the big issue with it. It's their country, they won the gold, good for them. Probably should have kept it in the locker room but so be it.

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USA Takes On Canada For GOLD Tonight

I'll be the first one to admit that I do not get into women's hockey. I have however really enjoyed watching the United States women at this Olympic Games and it has really piqued my interest in the women's game. I am really excited to watch the USA women take on Canada tonight for the Gold Medal.

If you are not already aware, coverage for the game starts at 5:00 PM and the actual game starts at like 5:30 I think. The game can be found on MSNBC. Nicole from the Cute Sports Blog will once again be helping us out doing a live blog of the game. She should be starting the live blog by 5:15. If I'm feeling ok, I will also be helping out when I can.

There will be 9 current or former Badgers playing in the game and obviously the United States men's coach is Mark Johnson, no introduction needed. 6 of 7 United States players are pictured to the left. First Row L to R: Erika Lawler, Jessie Vetter. Second row L to R: Hilary Knight, Meghan Duggan, Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej, and Molly Engstrom. Missing from the photo is Kerry Weiland. Canada also features some former lady Badgers. Defensemen Meaghan Mikkelson and Carla MacLeod.

Stats for the ladies Badgers so far:

USA
Hilary Knight: 4 GP, 1 G, 7 A, +8
Molly Engstrom: 4 GP, 3 G, 4 A, +13
Meghan Duggan: 4 GP, 4 G, 0 A, +5
Erika Lawler: 3 GP, 0 G, 2 A, +6
Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej: 4 GP, 0 G, 0A, +3
Kerry Weiland: 4 GP, 1 G, 1 A, +6
Jessie Vetter: 3 GP, 0.33 GAA, .976 Save %

Canada
Meaghan Mikkelson: 4 GP, 0 G, 0 A, +10
Carla MacLeod: 4 GP, 2 G, 3 A, +13

Image Credit: David Stluka Photography (Awesome, awesome photo)

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USA Women Open With 12-1 Victory

The United States women's hockey team opened up the 2010 Olympic Winter games with a 12-1 victory over China Sunday afternoon. Ironically, these two teams faced each other eight years ago to the day, and played to the exact same score, a 12-1 USA victory.

The United States is absolutely loaded with former and current Badger players. They were led on Sunday by forward Meghan Duggan (pictured left) who had two goals on four shots for the red, white, and blue. Duggan will have one year of eligibility left with the Badgers after she returns from Vancouver.

Other Badgers who figured into the scoring Sunday afternoon: Molly Engstrom had a goal and an assist. Hilary Knight, and Kerry Weiland both finished with one assist. Erika Lawler and Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej were held off the scoresheet. Jessie Vetter did not play.

Arguably the biggest news of the day was that forward Erika Lawler suffered an apparent ankle injury when she crashed into the boards racing for a loose puck. It happened during the second period and while she returned to the bench, she never returned to the ice. It didn't look like the injury was too serious and she was probably held out due to precautionary reasons more than anything. Keep an eye on this situation.

Team USA next plays on Tuesday vs Russia at 4:30 on MSNBC
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The Badgers are represented on Team Canada as well. Former Badger defensemen Carla MacLeod and Meaghan Mikkelson are suited up for Team Canada and they started off their tournament by taking on Slovakia Saturday night.

Team Canada absolutely smoked Slovakia and got an 18-0 victory. MacLoed was a star for the Canadians with two goals and two assists in the blowout. Mikkelson went scoreless.

Team Canada next plays on Monday vs Switzerland at 4:30 on MSNBC

Duggan photo courtesy of Getty Images

Olympic Preview: Team USA Women

The Olympics start soon, 2 weeks from now I'll be glued to the TV watching Team USA both the Men and Women. I'm a huge fan of biathlon for some reason too, but I digress. I'm going to start w/ the Women's team, because I'm A LOT more interested in them due to the numerous Badger ties. Yeah the Men's team has some too (included the beloved Joe Pavelski), but I'm really excited about the Ladies in Red, White & Blue. Hopefully get to the Men later in the week.

I've had the opportunity to see these fine women play 3 times in the past 2 months (twice in person, once on NHL Network). Thursday night on the NHL Network will be the last warm up, as Team USA takes on Finland, check it out at 8 PM.

Canada got the better of them during their pre-Olympic matches. Canada looks good, but I think Team USA has all the pieces to upset the lady canucks on their home soil. Team USA has 7 former/current Badger players and the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal winner Mark Johnson as their coach; 21 gold medals are waiting to be hung around these women's necks.

Team Canada needs to get some love as they feature former Badgers Meaghan Mikkelson and Carla MacLeod. Hope you are ok w/ silver.

NBC is once again our hosts for the Olympic games. Coverage is being supplemented by USA, MSNBC and CNBC. During the Olympics, MSNBC will likely get more viewers than in the rest of the year combined.

Below is the schedule for Team USA's and Team Canada's preliminary round games (all times CST):

Feb 13th: Canada vs Slovkia 7 PM (CNBC)
Feb 14th: USA vs China 2 PM (USA)
Feb 15th: Canada vs Switzerland 4:30 PM (MSNBC)
Feb 16th: USA vs Russia 4:30 PM (MSNBC)
Feb 17th: Canada vs Sweden 4:30 PM (MSNBC)
Feb 18th: USA vs Finland 4:30 PM (MSNBC)
Feb 22nd: Semis 2 PM (USA) & 7 PM (CNBC)
Feb 25th: Bronze 1 PM & Gold 5 PM both on MSNBC (DVR the latter, USA vs Canada, book it!)

NBC's Olympic website also has some nice profiles of all the Women's Team, I'd definitely check it out.

For easy reference the links to the Badgers:

Jessie Vetter
Jinelle Zaugg-Siergiej
Hilary Knight
Erika Lawler
Meghan Duggan
Kerry Weiland
Molly Engstrom

Hilary Knight is the youngest player on the team, and IMHO the best. I'd love to see her lineup w/ Erika Lawler, they dominated last season. Come on Ladies, bring home the GOLD!!!

A few odds & ends

• Just a reminder that the UW Athletic Department is holding a press conference today at 1pm regarding the Feb 6, 2010 Camp Randall games (Badger Men v. Michigan, Badger Women v. Bemidji). You'll be able to find the press conference here.


• Presumably in anticipation of the Camp Randall games, uwbadgers has posted a Frozen Tundra Classic highlight video. Good stuff.


• Meaghan Mikkelson is currently featured in hockeycanada's player profiles. Bobbie-Jo Slusar was previously featured.


• Here's a recent article about Andy Murray -- St. Lois Blues Head Coach and Badger Jordy Murray's dad. (Thanks to Capobianco for pointing it out.)


• Here's the WSJ announcement regarding Cody Strang's being named Wisconsin Boys Hockey Player of the Year.
  

Hockey Canada's National Women's Team January Camp

Hockey Canada is holding a training camp for the National Women's Team this week (Jan 25-30) in Red Deer, AB. Included on the camp roster are Badgers Carla MacLeod, Meaghan Mikkelson, and Bobbi Jo Slusar. The announcement notes that the training camp is one of the steps leading up to the 2009 IIHF World Women's Championship (Apr 4-12 in Hameenlinna, Finland).

Hockey Canada names rosters for October Camp and 4 Nations Cup

Hockey Canada has named rosters for their October Camp and the Four Nations Cup. Badger defensemen Carla MacLeod, Meaghan Mikkelson, and Bobbie Jo Slusar have made both teams. Looking at the rosters, the Four Nations team includes some younger players currently playing in the NCAA as well as some of the players from the October Camp roster.

The October Camp will take place October 9-13 in Moncton, NB and will consist of on-ice sessions and 4 games against local Midget AAA boys teams. It will be held in conjunction with the Atlantic Challenge Cup which runs October 10-13.

The Four Nations Cup will be held November 4-9 in Lake Placid, NY. Team Canada will also hold a short camp prior to the tournament.

Hockey Canada also indicates it will hold team camps in December and January, leading up to the 2009 IIHF World Women's Championships in Finland on April 4-12. The IIHF roster will be named in February.

Wednesday afternoon link-o-rama: Badger Women

• The Badger Women have been ranked 2nd (behind UMD) in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine preseason poll. In the WCHA coaches poll, the Badger Women tied for 2nd with Minnesota (again behind UMD). Badgers who recieved votes for post-season awards include Meghan Duggan and Erika Lawler for league MVP and Carolyne Prevost for league rookie of the year.


• The fine folks at BTD have done their own national poll. The Badgers placed 2nd behind Harvard, followed by Minnesota in 3rd and UMD in 4th.
  

• Mark Johnson addressed the media on Monday, and here's the transcript.

• Hockey Canada's September evaluation camp for the Women's National Team is over, but you can find game results here. Participating in the camp were Carla MacLeod, Meaghan Mikkelson, and Bobbie Jo Slusar. HC indicates that they'll name the 2008-09 roster "in the coming days".

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.