Feb. 10 vs. Wisconsin:
The Gophers hosted No. 8 Wisconsin at a sold out Ridder Arena on Friday night for the second round of the Border Battle.
Wisconsin opened the scoring in this highly-anticipated rivalry matchup. Badgers defender Katie Kotlowski ripped a shot from the point that managed to find the back of the net for her first goal of the season. Abbey Murphy responded shortly after, stuffing home a loose puck in the slot. The game was even at 1-1 entering the second period.
Wisconsin’s Jesse Compher put home her 11th goal of the season nearly midway through the second period to give the Badgers the lead once again.
Minnesota was heavily outshot in the second period, 17-7, but Skylar Vetter was able to limit Wisconsin to just one goal.
Taylor Heise tied the game at 2-2 about three minutes into the third period. Her 21st goal of the season was a beauty: she walked through multiple Wisconsin defenders and finished off with a shot that went off the left post and in.
Both goaltenders managed to hold down the fort for the remainder of regulation, meaning overtime would ensue.
Despite a power play through the late third period and the beginning of overtime, Minnesota was unable to notch the game winner. It took a shootout to determine who would get the extra point for the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) standings.
Wisconsin’s Kirsten Simms shot first, but was stuffed by Vetter. She was followed by Minnesota’s Grace Zumwinkle, who couldn’t beat Wisconsin goalie Cami Kronish. Badger Lacey Eden and Heise were both stopped in the second round.
Badgers captain Britta Curl managed to beat Vetter to start the third round. Kronish shut down Murphy to give Wisconsin the extra shootout point, but the final score of the game was a 2-2 tie.
Feb. 11 vs. Wisconsin:
Minnesota returned to Ridder Arena on Saturday night in search of their first regulation win versus the Badgers this season.
Heise would give the Gophers a pleasant start, scoring her 4th short-handed goal of the season. The last time Wisconsin allowed a short-handed goal this season was on Nov. 19, 2022, when the Gophers visited the Badgers at LaBahn Arena.
Catie Skaja extended the Gophers’ lead to two goals with a tally on the power play.
Wisconsin’s Simms took a five minute major penalty for hitting from behind to send Minnesota to an extended power play. However, midway through the power play, Heise was called for a controversial embellishment call, negating the Gophers’ power play.
Back at even strength, Wisconsin’s Claire Enright struck to cut Minnesota’s lead to one goal. Laila Edwards followed up on the power play to tie the game at 2-2.
In the final minute of the second, Simms capitalized on a two-on-two rush to give Wisconsin a one goal lead heading into the intermission.
Simms scored once again to open the third period scoring, marking Wisconsin’s fourth unanswered goal. Murphy responded a minute later, then followed by Heise to tie the game at 4-4.
Unfortunately for Minnesota, a structured Wisconsin zone-entry allowed Maddi Wheeler to find Caroline Harvey for a wide-open one timer. Casey O’Brien scored just over a minute later to deliver the dagger to the Gophers.
Jesse Compher tacked on an empty-netter, and Grace Zumwinkle scored in the final minute for a meaningless goal.
Wisconsin took down Minnesota 7-5 in game two of the Border Battle’s second round. This was their first home regulation loss to the Badgers since March 2021. Seven goals is the most the Gophers have allowed in a game this season, and the second most they have allowed in a game versus Wisconsin in Border Battle history.
The Gophers now sit at 63 points in second place, while Ohio State holds first place with 66 points.
Because of their losses to Wisconsin, Minnesota is no longer in control of their fate in the WCHA standings. Minnesota now relies on Wisconsin to take down Ohio State in their series next weekend.
All the Gophers can do is sweep their next series and hope for the best in the Badgers versus Buckeyes series. Minnesota takes on St. Thomas on the road Feb. 17 and 18 for their final regular season matchup.
