Wisconsin Women’s Hockey: Business as Usual for Frozen Four

Wisconsin women’s hockey is headed to an NCAA record 15th Frozen Four. While the ice may be cold, the Badgers are playing as hot as any team in the country. Wisconsin has notched four consecutive victories over NCAA Tournament teams in their last four games. Those wins culminated in a 4-0 victory over the St. Lawrence Saints in front of a sold-out home crowd to advance to the national semifinal in Durham, New Hampshire.

Ahead of the trip out East, the WCHA Final Faceoff champions are not shying away from the challenge of a loaded Frozen Four. Each of the top four seeded teams in the NCAA Tournament field advanced to the semifinal. When Wisconsin plays the ECAC Tournament champion Colgate Raiders, a familiar conference foe may be waiting for revenge in the national title game. Badgers players, however, are laser-focused on the task at hand.

Wisconsin Women’s Hockey Faces Colgate in Frozen Four

Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey and the St. Lawrence Saints line up for the playing of the national anthem before their NCAA Tournament regional final game. Photo Credit: Kedrick Stumbris

No. 2 seed Wisconsin has not played No. 3 Colgate often, but each time has been with high stakes. The all-time series is tied 1-1, with both matchups coming in the NCAA Tournament. In 2018 the Badgers fell to the Red Raiders in the Frozen Four. One season ago, Wisconsin ended Colgate’s season in the regional final.

“We’re creatures of habit,” Johnson said about managing the approach to another high-stakes weekend. “Your approach, your habits to your game, are engrained.” Comparing a three-foot putt on the first hole of a golf round to a golfer’s approach on the 18th hole faced with “that same three-footer, but now if he makes that three-footer, he wins the tournament,” Johnson said the question is “how does he manage that anxiety? He reverts right back to what his habits are… The stronger my habits are, the better chance I have to free my space in my mind and get over that putt, knowing I’m gonna make it.”

Badgers and Red Raiders Playing Their Best When it Counts

The Badgers and Red Raiders have succeeded in high-stakes hockey to close the season. Despite Colgate winning the ECAC regular season title, the Clarkson Golden Knights swept the Red Raiders 2-0 in the regular season. The third time around, however, in the conference tournament final, the Red Raiders scored late to break a 0-0 stalemate and defeat their conference rival.

Wisconsin lost its first three matchups with Ohio State this season. The regular season finale and conference tournament championship were a different story, with the Badgers taking both games. Now, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Colgate, and Clarkson, find themselves in New Hampshire in the Frozen Four.

Wisconsin Women’s Hockey Players Staying Steady Ahead of Frozen Four

Wisconsin’s Caroline Harvey (4) celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in a 3-2 overtime victory over Minnesota in a women’s hockey national semifinal at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minn. on Friday March 17, 2023.
Uw Minnesota Frozen Four 1 March 17 2023

“Nothing changes. We just want to go out there, play Friday, play our game, win that game, and then move on to Sunday and take care of business.” Badgers defender Caroline Harvey is embracing her coach’s philosophy when she returns to her home state to play for a championship. “One foot ahead of the other,” said the WCHA Defender of the Year.

Fellow defender Chayla Edwards agrees. The Cleveland Heights native said their coach’s “calm, level-headed” nature “really does help us stay focused.” As the weekend approaches, Edwards is “just keeping with her routine.” The four-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree added, “Taking care of my schoolwork before I go also really helps.”

Wisconsin women’s hockey plays Colgate in the second semifinal on Friday, March 22nd. Puck drop is scheduled for 6:30 PM Central, and you can stream it on ESPN+. Before then, Ohio State and Clarkson face off in the first semifinal on ESPN+ at 3:00 PM.

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