DULUTH, minor — One day after earning second-team All-America honors, freshman Wisconsin women’s hockey Caroline Harvey showed the country why when she scored the game-winning goal on Friday night at AMSOIL Arena to lead UW to a 3-2 victory over Minnesota in the semifinals of the 2023 NCAA Women’s Frozen Four.
The second-ever Wisconsin freshman (28-10-2) to earn All-America honors, Harvey went top-shelf on Minnesota (30-6-3) netminder Skylar Vetter with 3:13 left in overtime to take UW to his ninth NCAA championship-lifting game appearance.
The Gophers took the lead just 3:23 into the game, taking a 1-0 lead into the first break.
The Badgers dominated most of the second period, beating the Golden Gophers 17-7, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
After a strong second period, Dan Edwards got the Badgers on the board just past the middle of the third frame, ahead Sophie Shirley UW took the lead less than a minute later.
Minnesota tied the game with only 1:11 left in the third period to force overtime.
After 4:47 back and forth overtime, Harvey went top down to call the game.
Cami Kronisch stopped 37 of the shots she faced for her 20th win of the season and third of the NCAA Tournament.
Straight from the rink
Head coach Mark Johnson
On the thrilling victory against a strong Minnesota team:
“We’re really excited. Big ebb and flow of extra time, both teams have big chances. We played each other six times and most games were like that with extra time and shootouts. Comes down to someone making a play and the goalkeeper making a save. Both goaltenders played extremely well, congratulations to Minnesota on a good season, they are a very strong team. We are happy to play the last game and look forward to the day off tomorrow before we tied the Laces on Sunday and there then go ahead.”
About the slow start of the game:
“I don’t know if it was nerves or a bit of a shock from the goal a few minutes into the game, but it put us on our heels. At the second media timeout, it was just getting the little things back.” We need to move our feet and get the puck back into the strike zone to try and create some chances. Even between the first and second period I told the team that we have to play at the level we are able to play. We got a little bit of momentum between periods and then got into the second period and played quite well.”
freshman Caroline Harvey
About the team that breaks through in the third period:
“Our team knew we had to score. We kept pushing and we were so close for so long, so it was about time we shot one in the net. It happened and we were able to score a few goals .” fast. Our team has so much struggle in us and so much perseverance. We knew we’d come back and get the job done today.’
Senior Cami Kronisch
On dramatically taking down the Gophers:
“It just comes down to taking things day by day. The coach always says don’t look too far ahead. It’s a three period game, you can’t look too far ahead. The bottom line is that we realize we still have 60 minutes to go.” hockey to play and it’s not over yet. We can ride that high tonight, but tomorrow morning it’s a clean slate and we have to go back to executing our game plan and focusing on what comes next. ”
Three notes of the game
– This was the third time this season that UW and Minnesota went into overtime. UW previously won a shootout against the Golden Gophers.
– Wisconsin improved to 3-1-2 over the Gophers this season.
– Caroline Harvey earned her second overtime winner of the season, with her first game against St. Cloud State on October 15, 2022.
Next one: The Badgers face Ohio State in the NCAA title game at 3PM CT on Sunday at AMSOIL Arena. Fans can watch the game on ESPNU or listen to the game on 100.9 FM.