MADISON, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Badgers women`s hockey team has concluded an exceptional season by securing the national championship. Coach Mark Johnson received an early morning text from his 1980 Olympic teammate, Jack O`Callahan, commemorating the `Miracle on Ice` anniversary. This prompted Johnson to reflect on team legacies, emphasizing that true greatness is defined by outcomes.
This year`s Badgers team, with a remarkable 38-1-2 record, may be remembered as the program`s best. Their national championship victory against Ohio State marks their eighth title under Johnson since 2002. Wisconsin has consistently dominated, outscoring opponents 221-48 and achieving decisive wins throughout the season.
Their strength lies in their deep roster, featuring elite forwards like Casey O`Brien, Laila Edwards, and Kristen Simms, strong two-way players such as Edwards and Caroline `K.K.` Harvey, and outstanding goalie Ava McNaughton. The team is filled with award-winning athletes, including Patty Kazmaier Award winner O`Brien.
Despite their dominance, the unpredictable nature of hockey means even the best teams can face unexpected losses. Coach Johnson stresses the importance of `playing free` – enjoying the game and performing without pressure, especially during crucial moments.
Assistant coach Jackie Crum recognized the team`s potential early in the preseason. Drawing on her experience as a former player and assistant coach for previous championship teams, she noted the exceptional depth of the current roster. Unlike previous years where rotations were limited, this season boasted four strong forward lines and solid defensive pairings.
Their season opener demonstrated their prowess with a 12-0 victory, followed by consistent high-scoring wins. Even a close 4-3 win after coming back from a three-goal deficit against Minnesota felt like an underperformance to the team, reflecting their high standards.
Entering the NCAA tournament, Wisconsin led the nation in points and goals, with top players in assists and power play/penalty kill percentages. Goalie McNaughton stood out with the most wins and an exceptional goals-against average.
Laila Edwards emphasized the team`s balanced strength across all positions and their cohesive play, highlighting their special team dynamic.
Beyond statistics, the team benefits from significant experience. A core group returned from the previous title-winning team, and many players have international experience, including Olympic and Six Nations tournament participation. This blend of veteran leadership and young talent fosters a confident, fearless approach, as Harvey encourages younger players to seize every opportunity.
March is a critical month for women`s college hockey with championships and individual awards. Coach Johnson acknowledges the potential distractions from award announcements and team selections. Wisconsin players swept major WCHA awards and had multiple finalists for the Patty Kazmaier award. Several players were also selected for the U.S. National Team.
O`Brien recognizes the individual pressures of award season but emphasizes the team`s focus on collective goals and internal values, ensuring that personal accolades do not overshadow team performance.
Wisconsin`s team culture is uniquely celebratory, fostering strong internal support. This unity has helped them overcome rare moments of adversity, such as coming back from a 3-0 deficit against Minnesota. Their resilience was further tested in the WCHA championship and the national championship game against Ohio State, both decided by narrow margins.
The rivalry with Ohio State is particularly meaningful for players like Edwards, who has local ties to Ohio but chose to play for Wisconsin. The national championship game against Ohio State was a thrilling contest, requiring a last-second penalty shot goal by Kirsten Simms to tie and an overtime winner from Simms to secure the title.
Coach Johnson, while not focused on numbers, relies on his extensive playing and coaching experience to guide the team. He connects with players, understanding the varying roles within a team, from star players to those with limited ice time. He encourages all players to embrace their roles and contribute to the team`s success.
Players like Edwards and O`Brien value Johnson`s leadership, recognizing his legendary status and his ability to empower them. They appreciate his hands-off coaching style that allows their talent to flourish within a structured team environment.
Ultimately, Wisconsin entered the NCAA tournament as favorites and lived up to expectations, clinching the national title and solidifying their place as one of the greatest teams in women`s college hockey, rivaling even the dominant Minnesota teams of the past. Edwards believes in the team`s limitless potential when they play together at their best.
