The UND women's hockey team isn't quite sure which goaltender will be in net for the University of Wisconsin this weekend.
But coach Brian Idalski is sure that it won't matter very much.
The Badgers enter this weekend's series against UND (2:07 p.m. Saturday, 3:07 p.m. Sunday) as the nation's top defensive team. They're giving up less than a goal per game and have seven shutouts in 20 games.
It hasn't mattered who is in net, either.
Badger starter Alex Rigsby is arguably the top goaltender in the nation, boasting a 1.03 goals-against average and a .958 save percentage.
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But since she went down with an injury in late November, the Badgers haven't missed a beat. Rookie goaltender Ann-Renee Desbiens has come in and posted even better numbers -- a 0.80 goals-against average and a .963 save percentage. Both numbers rank first nationally.
"Defensively, they are super good," Idalski said. "Both their goalies are playing at a high level. It's not just their D-corps. Their team defense is outstanding. It's going to be a matter of us capitalizing on our opportunities, coming through the neutral zone with speed and just getting pucks to the net. Special teams and the power play specifically are going to have to have a big weekend for us."
UND hosted Wisconsin in November and learned how difficult it is to score on the Badgers. The teams played to a 0-0 tie on Friday night and the Badgers won 3-1 on Saturday.
"We were impressed with how well they defended last time," Idalski said. "Hopefully, we execute a little bit better."
UND had a full lineup at practice this week as injured forward Leah Jensen, who hasn't played a game since Feb. 1 of last season, began skating again. Idalski said he may hold Jensen out this weekend, but added that "she's close."
UND will have European standouts Michelle Karvinen, Susanna Tapani and Tanja Eisenschmid back after the trio competed in the Meco Cup in Europe last weekend. Karvinen and Tapani led Finland to the gold. Eisenschmid played for Germany.
"We have the full group for the first time all year," Idalski said. "It will be interesting and will be fun to have the full group."
The series also will be important for the Pairwise Rankings, where the Badgers are currently No. 3 and UND is No. 6. The top four seeds host quarterfinals in the NCAA tournament.
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"National picture, they are big," Idalski said. "Three teams from the WCHA are fighting for home ice to try to have that first-round (NCAA tournament game) at home. This is going to go a long way to trying to solidify us into that top four group. These are as big as any games we've played this year."
They won't be easy - no matter who is in goal for the Badgers.
"They are a very tough defensive team," UND goalie Shelby Amsley-Benzie said. "We played them once. Now we know what to expect. Hopefully, we're ready to go.
"Last year, it was a big second half. We know it needs to be just like that this year."
Schlossman reports on sports. Call him at (701) 780-1129, (800) 477-6572 ext. 1129 or send e-mail to bschlossman@gfherald.com .
