Wisconsin overpowers Clarkson 5-0; will face Minnesota for national title

The No. 1 Wisconsin women’s hockey team was loose, energetic, and dominated defending champions Clarkson in a 5-0 victory during the semifinal round of the NCAA Frozen Four. The win sets up the sixth iteration of the Border Battle against Minnesota on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. CT for the national title. That will be televised on the Big Ten Network.

Wisconsin (34-4-2) dominated shots on goal throughout, but the opportunities Clarkson had, particularly from Loren Gabel, were dangerous. The Badgers’ defense stood tall—as did goalie Kristen Campbell—and turned away all of Clarkson’s 14 shots, including Gabel’s six dangerous looks. Notably, Wisconsin stopped all four Clarkson power plays.

In the second period, forward Britta Curl found forward Abby Roque in the slot, who scored on a perfect one-timer. The precision of this play gave Clarkson goalie Kassidy Sauve no chance to properly defend.

Fast forward to 6:40 left in the third period, and forward Sam Cogan scored on a miracle shot from behind the net.

After that, the flood gates opened wide, as redshirt senior forward Annie Pankowski scored a few moments later on a virtuosic goal.

Pankowski would add another one on an empty netter that was quite a bit simpler. Cogan could have easily scored with an empty net, but she deferred to the captain Pankowski in a classy move.

Finally, junior forward Presley Norby added the fifth goal to give Wisconsin all the momentum heading into the finals. Too bad there are no Culver’s in Hamden, Conn., for those who made the trip.