The No. 2 Wisconsin women's hockey team secured a dominant 6-0 victory over Quinnipiac on Saturday, punching its ticket to the NCAA Frozen Four, just as a powerful winter storm forced widespread school closures and clinic delays across Madison on Monday.
Badgers Dominate Regional Final
Wisconsin dominated the Regional Final at LaBahn Arena, scoring two goals in each period to blank Quinnipiac. Junior Kelly Gorbatenko led the offensive charge, notching her second hat trick of the season and reaching a significant milestone of 100 career points.
The Badgers came out flying from the start. Gorbatenko put the Badgers on the board just three minutes into the first period. Later, a power play in the final three minutes of the period allowed Wisconsin to extend its lead.
Wisconsin kept the pressure on in the second period. Freshman Adéla Šapovalivová wasted no time, scoring her fifth postseason goal in five games within the first minute. Gorbatenko then added another goal, giving the Badgers a commanding 4-0 lead heading into the final period.
Quinnipiac tried to spark a comeback in the third, pulling its goalie during a power play for a 6-on-4 attack. But Eden countered with a shorthanded empty-net goal, her third of the season, further solidifying Wisconsin's lead. Gorbatenko then completed her hat trick with a powerful one-timer, assisted by Mackenzie Jones, sealing the 6-0 victory.
Wisconsin's defense was stingy, holding Quinnipiac to just 17 shots. Goaltender Ava McNaughton recorded all 17 saves, securing a shutout. Overall, Wisconsin outshot Quinnipiac by a decisive 51-17 margin, underscoring their control of the game.
Coach Johnson Reaches Historic Milestone
Johnson notched his 700th career win with the victory. He became the first NCAA women's hockey head coach to reach such an impressive milestone, a testament to his enduring leadership and the consistent excellence of the Wisconsin program.
Johnson reflected on the team's journey this season, acknowledging periods where they "looked a lot different" than they did on Saturday. He emphasized the importance of maintaining positive relationships within the core group, which helped them navigate challenges and play with a renewed sense of freedom.
"Everybody was pulling for themselves," Johnson said, describing the positive energy and communication on the bench. "It didn't matter who was on the ice, it didn't matter who was scoring, it was about what can I do to help the team."
The coach is now focused on the next challenge: the Frozen Four game against Penn State. "Our next game against Penn State is going to be the most important thing," he stated. "We get four or five days to prep and get ourselves ready, and we're looking forward to it."
Wisconsin now stands among the final four teams vying for a national championship. If they win two more games, they'll claim the title, a prospect that Johnson called "a good spot to be in." Player Kirsten Simms simply described the feeling as "unbelievable" after the win.
Winter Storm Disrupts Daily Life
While the Badgers celebrated their advancement, a significant winter storm brought disruptions to the wider Madison area. On Monday, Madison schools and several surrounding districts announced closures, impacting thousands of students and families.
Schools close when conditions get too dangerous. Hazardous road conditions, including ice and heavy snowfall, make travel dangerous for school buses, student drivers, and those who walk to school. School officials prioritize the well-being of students and staff in such severe weather events.
The blizzard also affected healthcare services in the region. UW Health and UnityPoint Health-Meriter both announced delayed openings for some clinics. Clinics delay openings so staff and patients don't risk their lives getting there.
Wisconsin gets hammered by winter storms regularly, and they always wreak havoc on daily life. Roads become impassable, power lines go down, and businesses shut their doors when storms hit like this.
The University of Wisconsin women's hockey team will now prepare for the high stakes of the Frozen Four, while residents across Madison continue to navigate the aftermath and lingering effects of the recent winter storm.
