Wisconsin Badgers Advance to WCHA Final Faceoff Final Round

The reigning champs are moving on after a 7-2 win against the Minnesota State Mavericks in the WCHA Final Faceoff punching their ticket to the WCHA Final Faceoff Final Round, here’s a breakdown of the game.  

In true Player of the Year fashion Caroline Harvey kicked off the scoring in the WCHA Final Faceoff, giving the Badgers the lead late in the first off a pass from Lacey Eden. The Badgers continued to dominate possession, outshooting the Mavericks 19-5 in the opening frame. 

Things heated up for the Badgers in the second period scoring three goals unanswered, before the Mavericks would find their first of the game. Not long after Kirsten Simms would find her second of the night to give the Badgers a 5-1 lead heading into the final frame. 

In the third, it was Kelly Gorbatenko kicking things off with her second of the night just 38 seconds in to extend the Badgers lead. Following it up for the Badgers was Maggie Scannell, making it a 7-1 game. Though it would be the Mavericks who had the last word with Lauren Goldsworthy netting her first of the playoffs with under six minutes remaining, however it wouldn’t be enough to push past the reigning champs, who now continue on their path to defend the title. 

The standout of the game was Mavericks goaltender Hailey Hansen who despite the loss held off 44 shots. This season the junior has 14 wins in 34 starts, and has been holding it down all season with 1000 saves going into her 0.915 save percentage. With her presence on the backend the Mavericks will look to comeback sharper next season and finish what they started. 

Well on the other end the standout has been Caroline Harvey who continues to grow her draft stock, now with 7 points in the playoffs, in just 3 games. As the Wisconsin Badgers move onto the WCHA Final Faceoff Final Round on their road to defending the title, Harvey’s impact is expected to remain a key factor in their push to go back-to-back. 

For more women’s hockey news follow @beckpointmedia on social and subscribe to our newsletter: