The Badgers Women's Hockey team not only opened up their season, but also the WCHA season by skating to a 2-2 tie with Minnesota State. However, the Badgers took down the shoot out 3-2 and earned the bonus point in the WCHA standings from the tie. Wisconsin came away with 2 points from the results.
It took a huge goal with just 49 seconds left in regulation for the Badgers to even force the overtime period, with the tying goal coming from sophomore Katy Josephs with an assist from familiar name Brianna Decker and senior Sage Pacholok.
Badgers goalie Alex Rigsby stopped 21 of 23 shots faced in the victory, including making 5 saves in the overtime period before the shootout, where she stopped 3 of the 5 attempts by the Mavericks.
Wisconsin found itself in comeback mode from the first goal forward as Minnesota State's Lauren Burns opened her scoring account at the 11:34 mark of the 1st period. However, all that goal seemed to do was wake up the Badgers who turned around and tied the game back up less than a minute later on a goal by senior Alev Kelter at the 12:18 mark in the period. Assists came from Kelly Jaminski and Brittney Ammerman.
Overall Wisconsin had a bit more of the action in 1st period, holding a 14-8 advantage on shots, but they couldn't break through more than once.
The Mavericks and Badgers skated to a scoreless 2nd period, but the Badgers couldn't hold the Mavericks down in the 3rd period as they struck first once again. Once again it was a Lauren, this time Lauren Smith that gave MSU the lead at 10:28 of the period.
Obviously the Badgers responded, but it took a 19 shot onslaught for the Badgers to break through in the 3rd period and for the game Wisconsin out shot the Mavericks 43-23.
It's going to be a long slog on the road as Wisconsin will play their next 5 games being the visiting team as LaBahn Arena is finished getting ready. The Mavericks and Badgers hook up once again tomorrow to close out the series. Game time is 3pm Central as Wisconsin searches for it's first victory of the season.
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