While the football game Saturday afternoon will grab the most headlines, it’s not the only rivalry an Ohio State team will participate in this weekend.
The women’s hockey team travels to Wisconsin to take on the No. 7 Badgers in a two-game series.
“Our team looks at this matchup as a big rivalry; any time we play Wisconsin it always brings a high level of intensity from our team,” said OSU women’s hockey coach Jackie Barto. “We’re excited to go to Madison, and we’re ready for the challenge. They’ve got some good offensive weapons, they’re pretty solid around the blue line and they’re pretty solid in goal, as well.”
A reason these teams consider themselves rivals is similarities they share.
“They started their program the same time we did, three years ago, so they’re pretty similair in head-count and what not,” said OSU senior Emily Hudak. “It’s always a grudge match when we play them.”
Although the game might have the feel of a huge rivalry on the ice, it doesn’t create pandemonium in the stands.
“The past two years we’ve been there we have played at a local rink that’s not too close to campus, so we get a lot of brownie troops and stuff like that at the games, but not too many students,” Hudak said.
The teams will square off in the local off-campus rink, in Capitol Ice Arena.
The lack of crazed fans is just one less thing for the Buckeyes to worry about in the two games this weekend. Another important thing they won’t have to worry about is ending a recent nine-game winless streak – the team took care of that last weekend with a 6-2 win over Connecticut.
“People are having a lot more fun at practice; it’s always more fun if you’re winning,” said sophomore wing Jeni Creary. “That last game really put us on a high note.”
Her coach has said it is painfully obvious how much that one win has affected the team in practice this week. After going nine straight games without a win – eight losses and one tie – the Buckeyes’ morale was dropping.
“It’s amazing how one victory gives you that confidence and belief in yourself as a team,” Barto said. “I think we’ve had a good week of practice – a lot of energy, very positive play, so I think we’re riding some good momentum into Wisconsin.”
