In game one of the WCHA first round playoffs on Friday night, junior Kirsten Simms started the game with a breakaway that sailed wide of the net. The Wisconsin Badgers instead waited for sophomore Kelly Gorbatenko to break the ice with 38 seconds to go in the opening frame.
The top-ranked Badgers didn’t have to wait long on Saturday. Senior Casey O’Brien won the opening draw back and jumped into a two-on-one rush with Simms, who took the pass and put the Badgers ahead just 15 seconds into the game. It was a sign of things to come, as Wisconsin seemingly took out some frustration following Friday’s low-scoring performance.