MADISON — The Minnesota Gophers struck first in this year’s iteration of the Border Battle, handing Wisconsin their first loss this season (and first loss dating back to November 16, 2024) on Friday night, scoring four times in 6:52 in the opening minutes of the third period to take a 5-1 win. The victory ends a ten-game losing streak against their rivals.
“We all are aware of their record and how good they are. And I just think this proves that we’re just as good, and we just needed to show everyone and ourselves that today,” said Gopher senior forward Josefin Bouveng.
The Badgers seemed to control the first half of the game, out-shooting Minnesota 35-22 through the first two periods. The Gophers started a bit on their heels and seemed to struggle with puck control early on as pucks bounced over their sticks and passes missed their mark. The Badgers started strong and were forcing turnovers and holding possession, but managed to light the lamp just once as Cassie Hall scored her 11th goal of the season 6:42 into the game. Momentum began to shift later in the second period as Minnesota found some confidence and started pushing back against Wisconsin. Emma Kreisz hit the crossbar twice and the Badger lead started to feel tenuous.
“I feel like the longer the game went, the better we played. The first goal gave us a good restart. It was like it was 0-0 again,” said Bouveng.
The Gophers tied the game with 1:10 left in the second period as Abbey Murphy hit Bouveng with a perfect pass into space left wide open by the Badger defense in the right circle. With no one between her and Wisconsin goalie Ava McNaughton, she lifted the puck into the top of the net to make it a 1-1.
Coach Brad Frost gave credit to goalie Hannah Clark, who helped his team keep the game close while the rest of the team tried to find their footing.
“We didn’t start well. The first eight minutes, we were a little hesitant. It was the same thing in the second. We were kind of holding on. Clark was excellent. But then we got that one late and all of a sudden there’s a little more belief. The message in between the second and third was just that we need to have a great five minutes to start the period. We can’t hope that we will win. We have to go out there and do it. And we did,” said Frost.
The momentum fully swung toward the Gophers who came out on fire in the third. Sienna D’Alessandro scored her first career goal 2:10 into the frame, cleaning up a loose puck on a toe save by McNaughton off a shot by Carly Humphrey. That would prove to be the game-winner, but Minnesota wasn’t done.
Another uncharacteristic defensive breakdown left Sydney Morrow all alone in on McNaughton. Morrow faked left and dragged the puck back right, tucking it around the sprawling goalie to make it 3-1. Bouveng scored her team-leading eighth career goal against the Badgers on the power play, creeping down to the red line behind the defense where she one-timed a pass from Tereza Plosová to extend the lead to 4-1.
“I played a lot of games with Abbey Murphy against this team, and she has given me a lot of great passes. So that’s the main reason I’ve scored so many goals. But I also think their goalie and their team play a different way, and I just feel like I find a way to get my shot through,” said Bouveng.
Abbey Murphy, who’d been held scoreless by the Badgers for nearly two full seasons, closed out the scoring, putting back a loose puck to make it 5-1.
The win was extra sweet for the Gophers, who have not won in Madison since 2021. It also evens the all-time series between the teams at 58-58-16. Last year’s national semifinal win by the Badgers was the first time UW had ever taken the lead in the all-time series. This tied the Badgers’ largest loss at LaBahn Arena – the last time Wisconsin lost by four or more goals on their home ice was a 5-1 loss to these very Gophers in 2013. It was also the first time the Badgers had allowed four goals in a period at home for more than 20 years – it last happened against Minnesota Duluth in October 2002.
Wisconsin coach Mark Johnson said the loss was a learning moment for his team that hasn’t experienced playing from behind much.
“It’s a 60 minute game. It was a good game for 40 minutes. The Minnesota wins a face off and scores a second goal. I thought the next six or eight minutes, we didn’t respond in a real positive way. We didn’t accept the challenge being the down a goal. And, you know, they created a lot of energy off it,” said Johnson.
“They won the last 20 minutes, and then that was the difference in the hockey game.”
The two teams return to the ice on Saturday at 2 pm central.