Wisconsin beats Minnesota State, advances to WCHA Final Faceoff final
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The assault Wisconsin put on Minnesota State goaltender Hailey Hansen was relentless.
It was only a matter of time before the dam broke.
The Badgers women’s hockey team scored four times during a 10-minute stretch that began late in the first period to set the tone for a 7-2 victory over the Mavericks in the semifinals of the WCHA Final Faceoff at Lee and Penny Anderson Arena on the campus of St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minn.
The victory leaves Wisconsin (32-3-2) one win away from its third straight Faceoff title. It will face the winner of the Ohio State-Minnesota semifinal at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Senior Kirsten Simms and junior Kelly Gorbatenko recorded two goals each for UW. Those two players along with senior Caroline Harvey (one goal, two assists) had three-point showings for Wisconsin.
The Badgers, who outshot Minnesota State, 52-27, started the run with Harvey’s first goal since returning from the Olympics. Senior Lacey Eden shot Harvey a pass from behind the goal line and hit Harvey coming down the slot for the team's first goal with 79 seconds left in the first period.
UW finished the period with a 30-8 edge in shots. In the second period, the Badgers would be better rewarded for their work.
Before the midpoint of the period Simms, Gorbatenko and freshman Adela Sapovalivova added goals. Gorbatenko’s score, which came at the 5:57 mark was the game-winner.
The victory not only leaves Wisconsin on the cusp of the cusp of the conference tournament title but also leaves Simms, Harvey and coach Mark Johnson on the brink of two milestones.
And Johnson is one win away from No. 700. He has a 699-123-57 record.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin beats Minnesota State, advances to WCHA Final Faceoff final
