Wisconsin skated to a 1-1 tie with the Beatrice Aeros — a Toronto-area team — in the consolation game at the Thanksgiving Tournament on Saturday. Playing in the 1932 Olympic Rink, the Badgers tallied once in the first, and allowed one in the second to account for the game’s scoring.
It took 48 seconds for the Badgers first goal, breaking a nine period scoreless drought. Kendra Antony forced a turnover in the neutral zone along the left boards and directed the puck towards Meghan Hunter. Hunter skated in on the break, froze goaltender Kendra Fisher with a fake and slipped the puck past the goalie.
Gillian Ferrari knotted the game at one from Gillian Apps at 14:28 of the second period. Ferrari’s shot beat Jessica Bernal with what would be the final goal of the game.
Jen Neary made sure of it at 9:17 of the third with a spectacular glove save on a point-blank shot from a streaking Aero making her way down the left side. A shot off the ensuing faceoff hit off the crossbar.
The Aeros took three shots in overtime, but Wisconsin held and left with the tie.
“They are a good team,” said head coach Trina Bourget. “Jessica Tabb is a former college player for Providence and they have some people from Canada’s Under-22 program so they are definitely a high-caliber opponent.”
Jackie MacMillan started in goal and made 10 saves, then watched Bernal and Neary play the next two periods.
“I thought our team bounced back and played really well after last night [1-0 loss to St. Lawrence],” Bourget added. “It was good to see everyone working well and working together. It was especially nice to get all three of our goalies in. I thought all three did a great job.”
The Badgers (6-5-2, 5-2-1 WCHA) return to conference play after two weeks of non-conference action when they play host to Minnesota. The Badgers, who trail the first-place Gophers by a point, play on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at Capitol Ice Arena. Both games start at 7:05 p.m.
