Badgers Women's hockey 2024-25

[Pokerbrat2000]

I might be wrong, but it appears that the Badgers are only losing one player from this roster next year, except for any who might use the portal to leave. It's really an exciting time for women's hockey in Madison.

Here again, hard to find concrete information. Always tricky to just look at their roster designation and know just how many years, if any, they are still eligible. Not to mention that Covid added an additional year to everyone's eligibility.

I think the following Badgers are gone after this season

- Casey O'Brien (Forward)
- Lacy Eden (F)
- Sarah Wozniewicz (F)
- Katie Kotlowski (D)
- Quinn Kuntz (G)

Not 100% on Woz, but I believe her eligibility is up. O'Brien and Eden are huge losses, but this years freshman class is a solid one. I also have no doubt that Johnson will be able to pick up a couple of really good Transfer Portal players.

Throw in the incoming 2026 Freshman class (below) and wow!


Forwards Adela Šapovalivová (Beroun, Czechia), Charlotte Pieckenhagen (St. Catharines, Ontario) Nicole Gorbatenko (Barrington, Illinois), defenders Mackenzie Jones (Andover, Minnesota) and Rachel Gorbatenko (Barrington, Illinois) and goaltender Ryhah Stewart (Antigonish, Nova Scotia).

If you pay close attention you see the last name "Gorbatenko" twice and you might already know that name. Yes, the Badgers team will have 3 sisters on it next season!. Nicole and Rachel will be joining their current Badger Sophomore sister, Kelly!

Pieckenhagen and Jones are going to be REALLY good players for the Badgers.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I didn't get to see any of it, except the "big hit" on the news at the 2-6 final score. It sounds like the Badgers did what they were expected to do.

Good luck to your Badgers. It seems to be a your season.

Thanks and yes, this team is really special. So much talent and just a deep bench to boot. OSU is going to be a tough battle. One interesting note, one of the best Buckeye players, Makenna Webster, was a Badger until she transferred to OSU in 2022.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Was nice to actually find this online and only 12 hours after the game, that has to be a new record!

Wisconsin vs. Minnesota: 2025 NCAA women's hockey semifinal highlights

Watch the highlights from No. 1 Wisconsin and No. 4 Minnesota's Frozen Four matchup in the NCAA women's hockey semifinals.

www.ncaa.com

 

[Voyageur]

Yeah, Abbey Murphy is the queen of cheap shots and a huge actor as well. I was in and out of coverage on my work around at the Poker game, but listened to the entire game via radio when streaming wasn't working. Badger announcers were shocked that she wasn't booted from the game for her hit and equally laughing when the Gophers challenged the hit on her in the 3rd period, hoping they would get a 5 minute penalty out of it. All they kept saying was "she's such an actor".

Anyway, great game for Bucky. I always have to worry a bit when they get down a goal, but this team seems to always rev it up and go in those situations. Tonight was no different and all the stars scored for the Badgers.

Watching ticket prices for the game and hoping they come down some from the $160+ that they are currently at. At least the game is on ESPNU, which I can get, and I have Sunday free to watch from home, if I don't score a cheaper ticket.

Go Badgers!

The ESPN announcers thought it was a cheap shot and called it that. No reason for it whatsoever. She should have been booted. During the 3rd period the announcers commented that Minnesota was constantly taking cheap shots at Badger players. I think they were surprised that they didn't get a lot more penalties called on them. I thought there should have been too.

 

[Voyageur]

Here again, hard to find concrete information. Always tricky to just look at their roster designation and know just how many years, if any, they are still eligible. Not to mention that Covid added an additional year to everyone's eligibility.

I think the following Badgers are gone after this season

- Casey O'Brien (Forward)
- Lacy Eden (F)
- Sarah Wozniewicz (F)
- Katie Kotlowski (D)
- Quinn Kuntz (G)

Not 100% on Woz, but I believe her eligibility is up. O'Brien and Eden are huge losses, but this years freshman class is a solid one. I also have no doubt that Johnson will be able to pick up a couple of really good Transfer Portal players.

Throw in the incoming 2026 Freshman class (below) and wow!


Forwards Adela Šapovalivová (Beroun, Czechia), Charlotte Pieckenhagen (St. Catharines, Ontario) Nicole Gorbatenko (Barrington, Illinois), defenders Mackenzie Jones (Andover, Minnesota) and Rachel Gorbatenko (Barrington, Illinois) and goaltender Ryhah Stewart (Antigonish, Nova Scotia).

If you pay close attention you see the last name "Gorbatenko" twice and you might already know that name. Yes, the Badgers team will have 3 sisters on it next season!. Nicole and Rachel will be joining their current Badger Sophomore sister, Kelly!

Pieckenhagen and Jones are going to be REALLY good players for the Badgers.

I'm not certain, but I believe Eden could opt for one more year as a Badger. I have a hunch NIL money will play a part in it. If there's enough there to outweigh going pro, I think she stays. I've got my fingers crossed that happens. Wozniewicz probably won't be back. I think she's used up her eligibility. Casey O'Brien is done I'm afraid. She's used up her eligibility. She's done a great job, going to be missed. Incidentally, she just won the Kazmaier Award. She deserves it. Kuntz is done I'm afraid. A solid #2 in goal. We do have more talent on the rise though. Stewart coming in is going to be something special from what I heard. She needs a year or two to get her feet wet. Possibly a red-shirt year so she can hang onto 4 years of play time. Not certain but I think Kotlowski would get another year as well after the lawsuits that cover eligibility issues.

They could hang onto a few, but I think we're going to see a few defectors through the portal as well. It depends a lot on how good some of the new freshman coming in and portal snags actually are. Players who thought they were going to hit the ice might not have a chance.

It's going to be a wait and see game. Eden is the one that I've got my fingers crossed over from that group.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

No surprise!

Congrats Casey! You ARE the best player in NCAA Hockey!

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[El Guapo]

I'm happy to see that I'll be able to watch the game in two hours on ESPNU. There was an amazing game between Denver and W. Michigan in the NCHC championship game last night. I turned it on in the 3rd period during W. Michigan's improbable comeback from a 0-3 deficit to tie it and go to overtime. They won it early in 2OT. Another good hockey game to watch in the Twin Cities.

 

[weeds]

How'd the ladies do guys? L

 

[weeds]

Never mind Congrats to the Badgers!!

Wisconsin beats Ohio State in Frozen Four final OT for eighth women’s hockey title

It’s Wisconsin vs. Ohio State for the NCAA women’s hockey national championship. We have live updates, including score, TV and streaming.

www.jsonline.com

 

[weeds]

https://x.com/i/status/1903945913296617659

 

[Voyageur]

OMG! What an amazing game! Watching Simms score on the penalty shot and then put in the winner in OT was priceless. Great game!

 

[Voyageur]

After the game ended, seeing Mark Johnson being hugged by his fellow coaches, I thought back to 1980 and his two goals against the Russians, and how it put us in a position to win the 1980 Olympics. Mark was a special player at Wisconsin, playing for his dad who was one of the best, and had an amazing.... I think 14-year career in the NHL.

He's now the winningest coach in the history of NCAA women's DI hockey; with I believe 667 wins. At 67 years old, he still found the energy to jump up and down with his coaches in pure joy over also bringing Wisconsin their 7th(?) National Championship, which is tops in the game. No matter what level Mark has been in hockey, he's proven that he brings the aura of a winner with him. When you listen to announcers who had a chance to play for him at various times, you come to the realization that these players realize that time with him was special.

For Mark, the last 7 years have brought the Badgers 4 national titles.

I hate thinking that the day will come that he'll walk away. They will have a rough time finding anyone who understands how to create winners like he does.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I'm still hoarse from screaming in joy!

What a nail biting, cliff hanger, edge of your seat, all of a sudden....comeback win!!

They never gave up, they just kept fighting!

I think if it was any other team than the Buckeyes (or Gophers), I would have felt sorry for the losing team, that was 18.9 seconds away from being crowned the NCAA Champs.

 

[Voyageur]

I'm still hoarse from screaming in joy!

What a nail biting, cliff hanger, edge of your seat, all of a sudden....comeback win!!

They never gave up, they just kept fighting!

I think if it was any other team than the Buckeyes (or Gophers), I would have felt sorry for the losing team, that was 18.9 seconds away from being crowned the NCAA Champs.

I let out with a roar that made my wife jump about 5 ft. out of her chair, when Simms hit the penalty shot. It was perfectly executed. When they reviewed it to see if she dragged the puck back towards her, I was amazed at how close it came to it happening. Her goal in OT was fitting. She's such a solid player and three women were ahead of her this year on the team. But she proved why she was a finalist for the top award last year. She showed she's a winner.

 

[El Guapo]

I know what you'll say because I'm a Gopher fan, but Ohio State got hosed. All of the replays with 18 seconds showed the Ohio State player's fingers. At no point was there video evidence to show that she closed her fingers around the puck. Changing a call should be based upon clear evidence, otherwise you let the call on the ice stand. Even after the penalty shot was awarded, the most egregious error by the refs was that the penalty goal should not have been allowed. The puck CLEARLY stopped its forward momentum. The Ohio State coach pointed this out to the referees who refused to review it. Simms went from the backhand to forehand, bringing the puck backwards. End of discussion, that was not a goal.

Congrats to the Badgers though for playing the game as it was called and winning it. Simms did a great job. However, that end of regulation situation left a sour taste in my mouth as a hockey fan.

 

[Voyageur]

I know what you'll say because I'm a Gopher fan, but Ohio State got hosed. All of the replays with 18 seconds showed the Ohio State player's fingers. At no point was there video evidence to show that she closed her fingers around the puck. Changing a call should be based upon clear evidence, otherwise you let the call on the ice stand. Even after the penalty shot was awarded, the most egregious error by the refs was that the penalty goal should not have been allowed. The puck CLEARLY stopped its forward momentum. The Ohio State coach pointed this out to the referees who refused to review it. Simms went from the backhand to forehand, bringing the puck backwards. End of discussion, that was not a goal.

Congrats to the Badgers though for playing the game as it was called and winning it. Simms did a great job. However, that end of regulation situation left a sour taste in my mouth as a hockey fan.

The penalty shot was a legitimate call. Even the Ohio State coach said it was. I think her word should outweigh any fan skepticism on the call. If anyone would have been up in arms about it, she'd be the one. She asked the question if the puck moved backwards on the penalty shot. It was reviewed and deemed it moved laterally but never backwards. She said it was just a question on her part but she in fact couldn't tell while watching it. The replays reviewed proved it did not go backwards, but laterally which is legal. Had there been any evidence in the videos that it went backwards they would have called it. So, your comment has been disproved by the video evidence and the OSU coach herself.

I don't care whether you're a Gophers hockey fan or not. If it had gone the opposite way on either of both of those calls, I'm not certain how I'd be taking it myself. But I do know that when the heat of the moment left me, I'd have to admit they got it right.

No matter how many times any of us says, "I'm not showing bias here, but........" that's exactly what we're doing. I'm no different and neither are you. Sorry!

Badgers win! Record setting 7th Natty! The leader of the pack. Interestingly, Minnesota is second with 6, and the University of Minnesota-Duluth is 3rd with 5 titles.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I know what you'll say because I'm a Gopher fan, but Ohio State got hosed. All of the replays with 18 seconds showed the Ohio State player's fingers. At no point was there video evidence to show that she closed her fingers around the puck. Changing a call should be based upon clear evidence, otherwise you let the call on the ice stand. Even after the penalty shot was awarded, the most egregious error by the refs was that the penalty goal should not have been allowed. The puck CLEARLY stopped its forward momentum. The Ohio State coach pointed this out to the referees who refused to review it. Simms went from the backhand to forehand, bringing the puck backwards. End of discussion, that was not a goal.

Congrats to the Badgers though for playing the game as it was called and winning it. Simms did a great job. However, that end of regulation situation left a sour taste in my mouth as a hockey fan.

While I get your skepticism on those two plays, I will give you my perspective.

1. Penalty for redirecting the puck in the crease, with a hand. If you watch that play in slow motion enough times (I did), you can see that the puck is headed into the net (if not touched). Buckeyes, Maddi Wheeler (#18), reaches out and pulls the puck back and under her body, pushing it in a new direction and away from the net. My guess, the refs determined that she had to take control of the puck, to divert it away from the net and out of harms way.

2. Penalty shot. As long as the skater is moving forward/sideways, with control of the puck and the puck doesn't go backwards uncontrolled, the shot is legal. If you have ever played hockey and stick handled a puck, back and forth, of course the puck appears to "go backwards". Simms sudden move to the right of the goalie was sideways at best and I can't tell you how many times I have seen that same move and I have never seen it deemed illegal.

I can't help think that Buckeyes are going to "blame the refs" for that loss. They should point the fingers at themselves. Taking a too many players on the ice penalty with the lead and under 2 minutes left in the game? They committed the same penalty in the semi-final match I believe. It also wasn't a nit picky call by the refs, all 6 players were far out onto the ice.

Some lucky breaks for the Badgers? Sure, but I don't think the refs handed them the game, they earned it.

​

 

[El Guapo]

As for the penalty itself, even the ESPNU announcers felt that she didn't grip the puck and that it went "fluidly" under her body. If we were watching a football game, would you say that there was "indisputable visual evidence" that Maddi Wheeler closed her hand around the puck? You couldn't credibly do so.

Rule 618 (a) A penalty shot/optional minor penalty shall be awarded to the non-offending team anytime a defending player, other than the goalkeeper, picks the puck up off the ice with his hand or holds the puck while play is in progress and the puck is in the goal crease.

As for whether or not the penalty shot was legal:

Rule 406 (c) A “Penalty Shot” shall be taken as follows: The puck shall be placed on the center ice face-off spot and on the instruction of the Referee, the player taking the shot will play the puck from there and attempt to score on the
goalkeeper. Once the player taking the shot has touched the puck, it must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot the play shall be considered complete.

The puck 100% did not keep in motion towards the goal line. The puck was an inch or so off the crease here.

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A moment later the puck is further back than when she started the cross-over. You can't dispute evidence right here on the screen. Great move but not legal. If the referees are going to nit-pick the penalty then they should have put the same scrutiny on the goal attempt.

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Muzerall is classy enough not to make a giant stink of either call, but that doesn't mean that she agrees with them or that the debate ends. Both teams played hard and its a shame that it was decided upon two equally questionable calls. I loved that the Badgers never hung their heads after going down early. They fought hard, the Buckeyes stopped a ton of shots, and the game should have ended in the hands of the players, not the refs.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

As for the penalty itself, even the ESPNU announcers felt that she didn't grip the puck and that it went "fluidly" under her body. If we were watching a football game, would you say that there was "indisputable visual evidence" that Maddi Wheeler closed her hand around the puck? You couldn't credibly do so.

Rule 618 (a) A penalty shot/optional minor penalty shall be awarded to the non-offending team anytime a defending player, other than the goalkeeper, picks the puck up off the ice with his hand or holds the puck while play is in progress and the puck is in the goal crease.

As for whether or not the penalty shot was legal:

Rule 406 (c) A “Penalty Shot” shall be taken as follows: The puck shall be placed on the center ice face-off spot and on the instruction of the Referee, the player taking the shot will play the puck from there and attempt to score on the
goalkeeper. Once the player taking the shot has touched the puck, it must be kept in motion towards the opponent’s goal line and once it is shot the play shall be considered complete.

The puck 100% did not keep in motion towards the goal line. The puck was an inch or so off the crease here.

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A moment later the puck is further back than when she started the cross-over. You can't dispute evidence right here on the screen. Great move but not legal. If the referees are going to nit-pick the penalty then they should have put the same scrutiny on the goal attempt.

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Muzerall is classy enough not to make a giant stink of either call, but that doesn't mean that she agrees with them or that the debate ends. Both teams played hard and its a shame that it was decided upon two equally questionable calls. I loved that the Badgers never hung their heads after going down early. They fought hard, the Buckeyes stopped a ton of shots, and the game should have ended in the hands of the players, not the refs.

As far as the penalty went, the refs determined that Wheeler redirected the puck with her hand, in the crease. Not sure how you don't see that. How would you redirect the puck, if you didn't control it in your hand?

As far as the penalty shot goes, I am guessing that you don't watch a lot of hockey? Watch the penalty shots taken in this clip. As I stated before, when a player is stick handling and moving the puck, the puck goes "backward", side-to-side and forward, as the player goes forward. Why didn't you comment on Simms body position in the 2 clips you posted? Clip 2 shows that her momentum is still going forward, however she moved the puck sideways and back in bringing it across the front of the crease.

Again, keep a close eye on the position of the puck on these penalty shots.

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[Voyageur]

As far as the penalty went, the refs determined that Wheeler redirected the puck with her hand, in the crease. Not sure how you don't see that. How would you redirect the puck, if you didn't control it in your hand?

As far as the penalty shot goes, I am guessing that you don't watch a lot of hockey? Watch the penalty shots taken in this clip. As I stated before, when a player is stick handling and moving the puck, the puck goes "backward", side-to-side and forward, as the player goes forward. Why didn't you comment on Simms body position in the 2 clips you posted? Clip 2 shows that her momentum is still going forward, however she moved the puck sideways and back in bringing it across the front of the crease.

Again, keep a close eye on the position of the puck on these penalty shots.

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Exactly. The puck moved laterally. You can't judge by the line crease line distance from the puck because it's an arc, and the distance can be greater at the second point because the arc dips in perceptibly. Both issues were reviewed extensively and the decisions made were not made lightly. If the officials had it "in for" OSU it would have called a few of the several cheap shots they made against the Badgers penalties during the game.

 

[weeds]

I can't believe the lack of coverage in NE Wisconsin of the women's National Championship.

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[Voyageur]

I can't believe the lack of coverage in NE Wisconsin of the women's National Championship.

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It's their darned TV commitments. Their entire schedule is strewn around so many different sources, all of which are behind paywalls. It's horrible. In fact it's gotten to the point that it appears there are more pirated signals being watched by fans then those behind those walls.

Some of the walls were: ESPN, ESPN+, ESPNU, BTN, BTN+, Peacock, and about 3 others, one being what I can only describe as a single camera perspective at distance, no replay, no close-ups, one announcer with just play by play but no in-depth info, and just PA guy droning on in the background.

The Big 10 needs to find a secondary channel to broadcast "all" Big 10 hockey games in all markets and make it a one stop shopping location and not farm it out and hurt the product.

 

[El Guapo]

I do watch quite a bit of hockey, but admittedly am no expert. I never grew up with it. That's why I looked up the rules. Apparently I got it wrong. I thought that it was all about the puck moving forward. I stand corrected.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

The Big 10 needs to find a secondary channel to broadcast "all" Big 10 hockey games in all markets and make it a one stop shopping location and not farm it out and hurt the product.

As long as they include the WCHA games

It will always come down to money, for everyone involved in the decision making process. So until some of the lessor programs take off in popularity, the Networks, as well as the schools, will continue to throw those programs in the low priority pile. While that frustrates me, it is basic economics, so I understand it.

I'll say this, at least some of the lessor programs are getting some attention and being broadcast. 20 years ago, the only way you saw a Woman's Volleyball or Hockey game, was to attend it in person. Heck, I remember when Badger football wasn't on TV, unless it was a huge game.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I do watch quite a bit of hockey, but admittedly am no expert. I never grew up with it. That's why I looked up the rules. Apparently I got it wrong. I thought that it was all about the puck moving forward. I stand corrected.

Fair enough. I do agree with you that the penalty which resulted in the penalty shot, could be debated from either side. I would love to hear from the head referee about that call and what made them call it.

Interestingly enough, the actual incident happened with 54 seconds left on the clock and basically went unnoticed by the refs. It wasn't until there was a stoppage in play at the 18.9 second mark, that Johnson called a timeout and then probably heard from players and/or other coaches, that he should challenge that specific play. I have to wonder if play had not stopped and OSU ices the puck, would Wisconsin have been able to challenge that no call with 00.00 on the clock? I think they could of, and oh what a firestorm that would have created if everything played out the same way.

I know this, there has been a lot of chatter about the game online, across the country. Which is GREAT, it's drawing attention and interest to the event and Women's Hockey.