A Perfect Imperfect Ending

Wisconsin's Vetter sees shutout streak end, but backstops Badgers to second title

March 18, 2007

By David DeRemer

Special to CSTV.com

Seven hours, two minutes, and 36 seconds - that's an eternity in hockey, more than the length of seven regulation games. Yet it's also the length of Wisconsin and goalie Jessie Vetter's NCAA tournament shutout streak that ended in Sunday's NCAA final with 5:37 left in the second period.

Ten seconds - that is how long it took Wisconsin to score again after the streak ended. Speedy sophomore Erika Lawler, who recently made the U.S. National Team, broke in off the ensuing faceoff and Jasmine Giles buried the rebound to give the Badgers a 4-1 lead with 5:27 left in the second period. That score stood as Wisconsin repeated as NCAA women's champions.

"My teammates picked me up after I let in that goal," Vetter said. "I made sure to say `Thank you,' to the people going through that line, especially Jas."

Such a quick turnaround is truly the mark of a champion. While Wisconsin did not score goals in pairs like in the NCAA semifinal against St. Lawrence or last year's NCAA final against Minnesota, the Badgers proved once again that they are not a team to be taken lightly after a center-ice faceoff.

"Obviously, the fourth goal is a huge in a lot of ways," said Wisconsin coach Mark Johnson. "That's a sign of a team that responds to adversity."

Wisconsin's NCAA winning formula was similar to a year ago in other ways. En route to both tournament titles, Wisconsin won a multiple-overtime in the quarterfinals, beat St. Lawrence in the semifinals, and beat a WCHA rival in the final. In both NCAA finals, Jinelle Zaugg scored the first goal. This time after the puck was left free off a faceoff, Zaugg ripped the puck past UMD goalie Kim Martin for the 1-0 lead nine minutes into the first period.

And throughout the tournament, Jessie Vetter has been in net, always. Despite Vetter's success, few goalies have had to work harder to maintain their starting roles. In starting Vetter, Wisconsin was benching Christine Dufour, a senior goalie who went 16-0-1 with a 0.88 goals against average and .955 save percentage.

It took a power play deflection for Minnesota-Duluth to finally end the shutout streak. A Marin shot from the point was knocked in by Emmanuelle Blais, who was at the edge of the crease.

The Badgers weren't alone in their goaltending dilemma. Minnesota-Duluth coach Shannon Miller opted to start freshman Kim Martin, the star of Sweden's 2006 Olympic semifinal upset against the United States, over All-American goaltender Riitta Schaublin, the starter for the Bulldogs' previous two NCAA wins.

"We didn't advertise that Kim Martin had a knee injury the last couple of weeks," said UMD coach Shannon Miller. "Fortunately we had Riitta who was in a zone during practice, and she made the decision easy... . We put Kim on the ice Saturday, and we thought she was ready to go today."

Martin's prior success against Wisconsin this season, including a shutout in November, earned her the final game starting role, but she could not live up to the expectations early on, and there was no margin for error against the Badgers. She was not prepared for Zaugg's opening strike. The second goal she allowed to Lawler early in the second period was one she would want back, as she had a clear line of sight, but Lawler's wrister snuck though her five-hole 7:24 into the second period.

Martin was let down by her defense when Wisconsin's forward-converted-defenseman Meaghan Mikkelson took advantage of her opportunity to jump into the play, and fed Tournament Most Outstanding Player Sara Bauer on a 2-on-1 for a top-shelf finish at 11:55 of the second period. On the fourth goal, she stopped Lawler's first bid, but no one was there to clear.

"Our kids have had many tests, and they kept passing them," Miller said. "We didn't go on the ice with a full tank today, and that couldn't have been more obvious."

One player who was on the ice with less than a full tank - specifically, a full case of healthy ribs - was Bauer. She broke two ribs crashing into the net against Bemidji State during the last weekend of the regular season, and not even her teammates realized it at first.

"Her modesty, no matter how many people compliment, you can't say enough," Mikkelson said of Bauer. "Normally players, you can tell that they're hurt, but she just suited up for practice like always."

Bauer's ability to lead Wisconsin to an NCAA title despite the injury will leave a lasting legacy in Madison.

"There's something special about hockey," Bauer said. "Once you get into the game, you don't think about [being hurt]."

Johnson came into Lake Placid this weekend in a competitive setting for the first time since 1980, when he helped the U.S. to the "Miracle on Ice" gold medal. His goal this weekend was to help create memories for his players for Lake Placid that were as fond as his.

Mission accomplished.