When the teams play in the Frozen Four semifinal on Friday in Durham, New Hampshire, at 6:30 p.m., the Raiders’ agony will be far fresher. Last season, the Badgers defeated host Colgate 4-2 in the regional finals, their second of four tournament wins that led them to the NCAA championship.
Kirsten Simms became a productive scorer for the Wisconsin women’s hockey team by adding this component.
The Raiders will be highly anticipated for the rematch on championship weekend, according to Badgers coach Mark Johnson, who noted that 17 of the 22 players who started for Colgate in the game the previous season are still with the squad.
“It’s going to come down to what most games come down to, all these small things within our game, your ability to execute under the meaning of the game,” said Johnson. “Our athletes have a wealth of experience. They have a number of highly skilled players. It should therefore make for an entertaining hockey game, as you can see.”
In Minneapolis, Colgate defeated Wisconsin 4-3 in double-overtime to win the 2018 Frozen Four semifinals. In the previous 13 seasons, the Badgers have only allowed more than two power-play goals in two games. That was one of those games. In the second overtime period, the Raiders scored their third goal. They also have a strong power play that converts 35.4% of opportunities.
According to Badgers defender Chayla Edwards, “I think it’s just going to be more of the same this year.” Being in the Frozen Four raises the stakes a little, but overall, not much, in my opinion. We simply go out there and carry out our expertise.”
Colgate is vying for its first NCAA title, while Wisconsin is attempting to add to its record with an eighth victory.
Wisconsin and Minnesota are tied for the most Frozen Four appearances in tournament history at 15. The Badgers have advanced to the championship weekend in every one of the previous eighteen tournaments, and they currently lead the Frozen Four in wins with seventeen, two more than the Gophers.
But Wisconsin’s final game in New Hampshire resulted in a heartbreaking 3-2 overtime loss to Minnesota in the Frozen Four semifinals in 2016. The Badgers are 2-5 in Whittemore Center Arena, with two victories in 2014 and two defeats to New Hampshire in 2001 and 2007.
The last six national champions are represented in the Frozen Four. Three factors stood out as Wisconsin women’s hockey advanced to its 15th Frozen Four.
This year’s Frozen Four features the last six national winners and is a rematch of the Minneapolis event from 2018, which Clarkson won. In Friday’s 3 p.m. semifinal, the Golden Knights (33-4-2), who also defeated Wisconsin for the 2017 championship, take on Ohio State (33-4)—the 2022 champion.
With the exception of the canceled 2020 tournament, the Badgers have won three of the last four trophies: in 2019 and 2021, as well as the most recent season.
