Badger Women split to open season

Friday night the 2009 Championship Banner was added to the rafters at the Kohl Center, unfortunately the celebration was on the wrong end of the ice when the final buzzer went off. North Dakota Lady Sioux gained their 1st ever victory against the Cardinal and White in a 2-0 shocker (to some).

The Sioux goalie was outstanding (giving credit where it was due) and the officiating was horrible (same on saturday night), but the Badgers didn't capitalize on several chances. The Badgers dominated most of the game, especially the 2nd period, but couldn't sneak anything by. In the 3rd period, several Badgers tried to win the game by themselves, and the team game evaporated, and then the frustration started and penalties basically ended the game w/ 4 minutes to go, as the Badgers PKed it til there was 7 seconds left.

I wasn't completely shocked by the outcome and here is why. The Badgers graduated the most successful class in school history including the best goalie in NCAA history. Hilary Knight and Meghan Duggan are off preparing for the Olympics, and would have been the top two returning scorers. Alannah McCready, who started friday night, had little experience since Jessie played so often. Filling the gaps on offense will take time and the blue line saw three new faces. Team Chemistry is not instantaneous. North Dakota already played two games last weekend; the Badgers were definitely rusty on friday night.

The rust was gone on saturday night. The Badgers dominated almost the entire game, the Sioux did make a push late in the 3rd period. Becca Ruegsegger played her first game in the goal, and pitched a shutout as the Badgers won 3-0. Freshman were key in the victory. Besides Ruegsegger, Brianna Decker was phenomenal scoring 2 goals (both assisted by Jasmine Giles), while walk-on Lauren Unser notched her first goal assisted by Stepanie McKeough and Junior Maria Evans. Decker is going to be something special, but she did leave the game after her second goal, after schooling several Sioux players, she flew into the net shortly after the puck and hit the crossbar. She did not return following the 2nd period.

It will take some time for the team to come together, by the time they return later in the month for a 4 weekend home stand, they should be fine.

Line combos for those interested.

Giles-Decker-Ammerman
Prevost-Deluce-Sanders
Kranz-Nash-Frykas
Evans-Prough-Unser

The defenders were rotated on friday as 7 played, though on saturday I remember the following combos:

Haverstock-Dronen
Windmeier-Jakiel
Pacholok-McKeough

Geena Prough played D on friday and forward on saturday. She was great in either role and a great addition to the team.

It will be an interesting season for the Badger Women, there could be some ups and downs, but the only thing that really matters is how the finish in the end. One poor game doesn't make a season.

09/10 Women's Previews: #5 Stefanie McKeough

Vitals:

Position: Defender
Year in School: Freshman
Shoot Right
Height: 5-7
Hometown: Carlsbad Springs, Ontario
Major: Undecided
Previous Team: Ottawa Capitals

08/09 Stats: 40 games, 5-11-16
07/08 Stats: ???

09/10 Role: 2nd or 3rd Pairing, PP

08/09 Recap: Stefanie had a busy year between playing w/ the Ottawa Capitals and representing Team Canada on their U18 team at the 2009 World Junior U18s. At the WJ’s she played w/ current freshman teammates Breann Frykas and Saige Pacholok, so there should be some chemistry among the Canadian frosh this year. She had 5 assists and helped Canada to a silver medal, losing to the Mark Johnson led US team, at the WJ’s.

09/10 Thoughts: Stefanie was a late addition to this freshman class (at least I thought so), but definitely is a welcome addition. She has already been named to Canada’s U22 team this summer. I’m not know much about Stepanie, but there will be playing time on the blue line for her to take up. Based on her international experience, it appears Coach Johnson and staff has brought in around top notch young lady to add a few more National Championships to the rafters.

Prediction: 28 games, 2-12-14
*All predictions for regular season only

Badger Women news

A bunch of Badger Women's news to update. If you want to re-live the Badger Women's incredibly successful season, check out this link to the video. Haven't watched it yet, but I assume its awesome and full of countless goals that involve the combination of Knight/Lawler/Keseley.

The Women recently had their awards banquet. From the article the winners were:

Lawler received the Badger Award for being the most inspiring player Vetter was honored with the Jeff Sauer Award for being the most dedicated player. Matthews was named the defensive player of the year, while sophomore Hilary Knight garnered the offensive player of the year award. Freshman Brooke Ammerman was recognized as the rookie of the year.

Lastly, the 2009 recruiting class has been rounded out. Defender Stefanie McKeough from Carlsbad Springs, Ontario and walk-on forward Lauren Unser from West Salem, WI join D Saige Pachlock, F Brianna Decker, F Breann Frykas and G Becca Ruegseggar in the 2009 class.

McKeough has played extensively in International competition w/ Team Canada and was recently teammates w/ Pachlock and Frykas over the Winter. It appears Mark Johnson and company have once again assembled another great class to attempt to replace six young women that won 3 National Championships during their tenure.

Decker and Unser replace Rachel Bible and Jessie Vetter as Wisconsin natives playing for the Badgers.

In case you live under a rock or just discovered television and/or the internet, the Badger Women will be defending their National Championship this upcoming season, and I think they have a decent chance even w/ Mark Johnson, Hilary Knight and possibly Meghan Duggan off at the Olympics.