Wisconsin can’t sustain fast start; women’s hockey falls to Minnesota-Duluth

MADISON – A quick begin failed to provide a powerful end for the Wisconsin ladies’s hockey group Saturday.

The Badgers managed the primary quarter-hour in opposition to Minnesota-Duluth and jumped out to a 1-0 lead, however the Bulldogs hung robust and finally scored three unanswered objectives to submit a 3-1 win in entrance of a packed home of two,273 at LaBahn Enviornment.

The loss was the second straight for second-ranked Wisconsin and its first within the WCHA in seven video games. UW (16-4-1, 12-2-1) dropped to 4-4-1 in opposition to ranked groups.

Eighth-ranked Duluth (14-6-1, 8-6-1) sealed the win with two third-period objectives. Junior Katie Davis scored the game-winner on the 3:25 mark off a move from senior Mannon McMahon.

The Bulldogs utterly closed the door on UW with a rating from senior Gabbie Hughes within the remaining 2 minutes.

“I assumed the primary 15, 17 minutes we have been fairly good,” Badgers coach Mark Johnson mentioned. “We had quite a lot of power and a bunch of alternatives and simply weren’t in a position to capitalize on it. That was the theme of the complete recreation.”

The sport marked the second straight contest Wisconsin held a big edge in pictures on purpose over its opponent and misplaced. It was plus-16 in that class in opposition to Quinnipiac final Sunday and owned a 14-shot edge Saturday.

UW began with a 17-6 edge in that class, a flurry that produced its solely purpose of the day: junior Casey O’Brien scored at 8:42 of the primary interval off passes from freshman Caroline Harvey and junior Maddi Wheeler.

At that time within the recreation, it appeared just like the Badgers have been destined to search out the again of the web on a couple of extra events.

As a substitute, they’ll should work for a greater end result Sunday. The puck drops on the second recreation of the collection at midday.

“We’re going to have to come back out and attempt to set up issues early and see if we are able to get on the scoreboard,” Johnson mentioned. “If you happen to proceed to create alternatives finally the puck will go in. That’s what it’s a must to put at the back of your thoughts.”