MINNEAPOLIS โ Laila Edwards, a key contender for the Patty Kaz award, propelled Wisconsin to a 6-2 victory over fourth-seeded Minnesota by scoring a hat trick, boosting her season tally to a nation-leading 34 goals. This triumph in the semifinals of the womenโs Frozen Four ensures Wisconsinโs (37-1-2) passage to their third consecutive national championship game, where they will meet Ohio State. Notably, Ohio State stands as the sole team to have defeated the Badgers in regulation during the current season.
The success against Minnesota (29-12-1) is part of an ongoing undefeated streak, and this win surfaces as Wisconsinโs 10th consecutive victory in their encounters with Minnesota this season. Edwards made her mark with an equalizing short-handed goal with 2:45 left in the opening period, celebrating her 150th career point. Later, she capitalized on a breakaway, netting a backhand shot to extend Wisconsinโs lead to 5-2 in the early phases of the third period. Further cementing her supremacy, Edwards concluded her hat trick with an empty-net goal with 1:19 remaining, thereby surpassing Minnesotaโs Abbey Murphy as the NCAA scoring leader.
The Badgers established a three-goal streak bridging the first-period intermission, claiming a 3-1 lead through a 3-on-1 play finished by Kirsten Simms. Minnesotaโs Josefin Bouveng responded swiftly, scoring less than a minute later. However, Wisconsin reasserted control as Casey OโBrien struck with merely two seconds left in the second, raising Wisconsinโs lead to two. This goal also crowned OโBrien as the programโs single-season points leader, with a total of 88 points.
Both Wisconsin and Minnesota extended their record by appearing in their 16th Frozen Four, setting a precedent in NCAA history. The anticipation builds toward Sundayโs national championship face-off, encapsulating the essence of high-stakes collegiate womenโs hockey.