The Bulldogs celebrate after forward Olivia Mobley scores the opener in UMD's game against the University of Wisconsin on Saturday in Duluth. Photo by Grant Jones

UMD Women's Hockey faced off against the The University of Wisconsin Badgers on Friday, Jan. 31 and Saturday, Feb. 1. With an outstanding record of 25-1-2, the Badgers were a fierce opponent for the Bulldogs, who were coming off four straight losses headed into the weekend.

Friday

The Bulldogs started off strong, tallying the first goal, but it wasn’t enough through three periods plus overtime as the Badgers handed them their fifth straight loss.

First Period

UMD started fast with a heavy forecheck and help in the goal from their goaltender, Eve Gascon, who had multiple big saves early in the game. The rest of the period was very back and forth between the two teams until Grace Sadura started off the scoring at 7:48 with a wrist shot from the top of the left dot which trickled through Wisconsin's goalie to start the scoring for the Bulldogs.

Eve Gascon kept them competitive, but Wisconsin answered with a rebound goal 13:30 into the first period, tying the game 1-1.

The rest of the first period was action packed with odd man rushes from both teams but no goals. The period ended with a score of 1-1.

Second Period

The second period was similar to the first. Both teams had chances but couldn’t capitalize off any of them. Bulldog Goaltender Eve Gascon continued her excellence between the pipes, shutting down each Badger advance.

With less than three minutes remaining in the period, UMD was called for a holding penalty which put the Badgers on the power play. The power play was short lived as the Badgers were called for a penalty of their own in the last two minutes which put the teams back to even strength for about a minute of 4-on-4 time. Both teams failed to capitalize on their respective power plays. No goals were scored in the period, leaving the game tied 1-1.

A Wisconsin player shoots to score in UMD's game against the University of Wisconsin on Friday in Duluth. Photo by Grant Jones

Third Period

Wisconsin stole the show in the third period which was a result of UMD switching to three forward lines. The Bulldogs didn’t have much left in the tank during the third while the Badgers were firing on all cylinders. Eve Gascon spent the period making save after save.

The Bulldogs would go on the power play with seven minutes remaining in the period. UMD had three power plays during the game but couldn’t capitalize on any of them as they struggled with their zone entry.

Wisconsin seemed to dominate the whole third period, yet regulation would come to an end with the score tied 1-1.

Overtime

Overtime played out very similar to the third period with the Badgers dominating the possession time. After a missed 2-on-1 opportunity for UMD, the Badgers capitalized on their own odd-man rush to net the game-winner.

Gascon recorded an impressive 40 saves, but Wisconsin’s relentless attack proved decisive as UMD fell 2-1 in overtime.

Saturday

UMD’s early start wasn’t enough as the Bulldogs once again get swept against the Badgers, tallying their sixth loss in a row.

First Period

The Bulldogs started off strong with a few chances early on but nothing to show for it. With less than 14 minutes left in the period, the Bulldogs would take a checking penalty sending the Badgers on the power play. UMD’s penalty kill was excellent all weekend, going 4/4 on the kill throughout the series.

There was back-and-forth action all period until late in the first period. A shot by Nina Jobst-Smith led to a massive rebound goal for Olivia Mobley, once again putting the Bulldogs up 1-0 to start the game.

Bulldog Olivia Mobley fights for position against Wisconsin forward Marianne Picard in UMD's game against the University of Wisconsin on Saturday in Duluth. Photo by Grant Jones

Second Period

The second period started off with domination by the Bulldogs.They had a few early chances, one being a nice dangle from Nina Jobst-Smith that led to a toe save by Wisconsin's goaltender.

UMD would be called for a checking penalty with 8:22 to go in the period sending the Badgers on the power play. Once again the Bulldogs would prevail and kill the penalty, keeping the lead at 1-0.

Third Period

The Badgers came out swinging to start the third while UMD looked exhausted. Midway through the period, the Badgers would capitalize on a rebound to tie the game.

UMD was called for a tripping penalty with less than 12 minutes remaining in the period, sending the Badgers out there with an extra man. The Badgers had some opportunities but UMD’s penalty kill was enough to keep them from scoring.

Wisconsin continued to dominate the third period which led to the game winning goal off a snipe from the right hash. Gascon had a brief scare after being run into by a Wisconsin player but remained in the game.

Down 2-1 UMD pulled their goalie with one minute remaining. The Bulldogs couldn’t find the back of the net and fell 2-1, suffering their second consecutive sweep against the Badgers.

Looking Ahead

The Bulldogs will travel to Bemidji to play the Beavers in a weekend series against an in-state rival. These games will be played on Friday, Feb. 6, at 6 p.m., and Saturday, Feb. 7 at 3 p.m.

UMD Women’s Hockey Falls to No. 1 Wisconsin in Hard-Fought Home Series