Wisconsin Women's Hockey Dominates #2 Ohio State

Eden scored the go-ahead goal 63 seconds into the game, setting the tone for the rest of the evening. That put the Badgers up 1-0, but, as Eden remarked afterward, "Once we get one, we know another's coming."

The sophomore Hall later scored her own goal on a two-on-one rush with Eden, putting Wisconsin up 2-0 late in the first period. Thanks to Eden, Hall simply had to put the puck in the back of the wide-open net. Eden's effort in picking up the puck near center ice, skating through multiple defenders, and delivering a timely pass to her center earned her an assist in spectacular fashion.

After showcasing her talent early, Eden bookended the game by getting a bit lucky. In the third period, the senior collected her rebound off the chest of Buckeyes goaltender Hailey McLeod. As McLeod attempted to reposition herself in the net, Eden banked the puck into the goal off the netminder's pads. 

"Lacey's practiced hard, and she's probably been our most consistent player from game one to game 21," Wisconsin women's hockey head coach Mark Johnson said. "So it's fun for me because I watch those kids every day in practice, and then in games, and then get rewarded."

With her goals tonight, Eden is up to 15 on the season - the sixth most in the country.

Ava McNaughton "Stood on Her Head" Against Ohio State Women's Hockey

Wisconsin brought its offense, the best in the nation, scoring 5.71 goals per game, back in full force after the holiday break. It also boasts a defense that leads the country in goals against per game, backstopped by its fast-rising goaltender. 

Ava McNaughton split time in the net throughout last season. After former Wisconsin goaltender Jane Gervais transferred to Vermont this offseason, McNaughton has "adapted to being the goalie" on a team with national championship aspirations. 

McNaughton and her teammates shutting out the Buckeyes is something of just another notch in the belt for this year's Badgers team. Its sophomore goaltender leads the conference in wins, goals-against average, save percentage, and shutouts. McNaughton is ranked in the top two nationally in each category as well. 

After recording an 18-save shutout against Ohio State, blanking an opponent for a national-best seventh time this season, McNaughton credited the Badgers coaching staff for giving her "the confidence" to excel in her role.

"It's nice to just have the confidence of the coaching staff behind you and have that confidence going into each game," The Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, native said. "You know that they have confidence in you and that the team is behind you."

By Eden's account, McNaughton has the Wisconsin women's hockey team behind her. "Some of Ava's saves were absolutely insane," Eden said of the goaltender's performance. "She just looked so calm and collected back there. Any shot from out wide, it was just a quick glove. Just chillin'. I was pretty confident in her abilities - always. She kind of stood on her head tonight. Definitely gave us the extra edge tonight to keep them without a score."

What's Next for Wisconsin Women's Hockey?

The Badgers close their two-game series against the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday. The WCHA rivals will play at Wrigley Field as part of the "Frozen Confines" series. 

The game begins at 4:30 PM central and will be aired on the Big Ten Network. It is the second outdoor game in program history for Wisconsin.