‘It’s Supposed to Be Fun’ – Wisconsin Women’s Hockey ‘Keeping it Loose’ Before NCAAs
Madison, WI—If you were not closely watching, you might not know that the Wisconsin women’s hockey team is three wins away from its fourth national title in six tournaments.
One day ahead of their team’s NCAA Tournament Regional Final matchup with the Clarkson University Golden Knights, Wisconsin Badgers forward Lacey Eden and goaltender Ava McNaughton were more than just all smiles in a press conference on Friday. Less than 24 hours before puck drop, the duo joked throughout their five minutes behind the mic, refusing to take themselves too seriously.
At one point, Eden even quipped about strapping on the goalie pads and replacing McNaughton, a finalist for the Hockey Commissioner’s Association’s Women’s Goaltender of the Year Award, in net to “do everything I can to help the team win.” Despite trying to continue to answer a question with a straight face, Eden stopped her following sentence midway to clarify, through a fit of laughter, “we actually don’t want that. Don’t put me at goalie.”
In October, Badgers captain Caroline Harvey described this season as an “all or nothing” effort to win an NCAA record eighth national championship and avenge a 1-0 loss in the title game a season prior. Despite finally arriving on that doorstep, Wisconsin is characteristically relaxed ahead of the final two weekends of play.
‘When We’re Playing Loose, We’re Playing Our Best Hockey’
Eden is a highly accomplished athlete but never takes herself too seriously. The Annapolis, Maryland native is among the most prolific scorers in her sport. Her 163 career points rank seventh among all active players. In the Wisconsin women’s hockey record book, she sits in the top 15 in points, goals, and game-winners.
After assisting on Sarah Woziewicz’s go-ahead goal with a mere 25 seconds remaining in the WCHA Final Faceoff last Saturday, Eden could be found doing exactly what you would not expect of such a talented athlete: doing a headstand with Wisconsin mascot Bucky Badger.
“I’ve been taking a yoga class, and we’ve actually been practicing our headstands,” the All-WCHA Second Team honoree explained matter-of-factly. “So, I saw Bucky doing it, so I thought I would join him,” Eden said as McNaughton fought through laughter beside her.
After her on-ice antics, the senior sent a picture of the feat to her yoga instructor, who was “very impressed” with Eden’s skills.
Whether imitating an upside-down anthropomorphic Badger or playing hockey, Eden brings the same energy to the task. When asked how she is staying so loose ahead of what could be the final two weeks of her college career, the UW alternate captain said plainly, “I mean, it’s hockey.”
“We’re going to go out there and try our hardest and have a good time doing it. And hopefully just keeping it loose, as people who have been here before on this stage before, encourages our teammates to do the same. And I think when we’re playing loose, we’re playing our best hockey,” Eden said.
From the goal-scorer to the goal-stopper, the Badgers are approaching the end of what could be the most impressive season in program history with the same mentality.
“At the end of the day, it’s supposed to be fun,” McNaughton added. “If you’re gonna get all tense and play differently in a game that matters, probably even more than others per se, I think it sets you up for failure almost if you’re going to change your gameplan and act differently than you normal would just because it’s a playoff game.”
As for how Badgers head coach Mark Johnson feels about his team’s attitude, the winningest coach in the history of DI women’s ice hockey said, “it brings a smile to my face.”
However, he “won’t play Lacey at goalie,” Johnson joked to end the press conference.
Up Next for Wisconsin Women’s Hockey: NCAA Tournament Action
Wisconsin hosts the NCAA Tournament Regional Final against Clarkson inside LaBahn Arena tomorrow, Saturday, March 15th. The Badgers and Golden Knights drop the puck at 2:00 p.m. central.
For fans watching at home, the contest will be streamed on ESPN+ and radio broadcast on 1070AM The Game in Madison and via iHeart Radio.
