It was my first real story as a journalist. I was writing for a Badger sports magazine, and my editor had set up an interview with Sara Bauer. Bauer was a member of the Badger woman’s hockey team that had won a National Championship the year before and won the Patty Kazmaier Award as the best woman’s player in college hockey.

I was nervous as I waited for Bauer to come off the ice after practice.  Before my prep I did not know a whole lot about women’s hockey other than we won our first championship the year before. All my research made me the huge fan that I still am today.

While I waited, I chatted with another reporter from the college newspaper. He was there to interview multiple players, and they shuffled over to him as they came off the ice. I struck up a casual conversation with one player as we both waited for our interviews. She was the back-up sophomore goalie that started sharing time with the incumbent this season.

Who would know that I would talk to two Kazmaier winners that day.

Jessie Vetter would go on to be one of the most successful goalies to play college hockey. The Badgers beat Mercyhurst 5-0 yesterday to win their third championship in four year.

The Badgers have dominated woman’s hockey for half a decade. The have played in the championship game the past four seasons – an NCAA record. They have three national titles, second only to Minnesota-Duluth. Coach Mark Johnson was named coach of the 2010 Olympic team.

I have been a fan of the sport and the team since that interview two years ago – making at least one game per season. Unlike men’s hockey, few people attend the woman’s games. It is easy to get a seat in the first row at center ice, although I usually prefer the student section.

My favorite moment came this season in a game against St. Cloud State. Midway through the game, Phil Dzick joined us in the student section. The Badgers quickly scored a couple goals, and before long I was holding up Phil’s ‘5′ sign as the crowd chanted we want more.

The Badgers could struggle next year. Johnson will be focused on coaching the Olympic team, and Vetter will graduate. Still, there is one thought that persists in my mind…

1….2….3….We want more!