BY ANDY BAGGOT
UWBadgers.com Insider
MADISON, Wis. — Nikki Cece was asked what she liked most about her debut with the Wisconsin women's hockey team. Her answer spoke volumes.
A freshman goaltender from Oakville, Ontario, Cece was pressed into duty during a Western Collegiate Hockey Association series at Minnesota Duluth on Nov. 18 and 19.
The top-ranked Badgers came away with a split — a 4-1 loss gave way to a 4-1 victory — as well as a better sense of themselves.
UW coach Mark Johnson was curious to see how his club would handle things given that senior All-American goaltender Ann-Renée Desbiens didn't make the trip.
Desbiens was experiencing problems related to an in-game collision Oct. 29 that resulted in a Minnesota State player being assessed a one-game suspension for kneeing Desbiens in the head.
Desbiens returned the following week to make history — 5-0 and 6-0 wins over Bemidji State gave her the NCAA career record for shutouts with 44 — but issues arose that put Cece on alert.
Cece said the outpouring of support from her teammates before, during and after the series with Minnesota Duluth was the highlight of her debut weekend.
"Before the games a lot of them were talking to me, cheering me on a lot and just kind of getting me used to the play," Cece said.
"After the first game, a lot of them were texting me and just saying, 'Don't worry about it. We're going to bounce back tomorrow.'
"Not for a second did they make me feel down. They made me feel like we're going to bounce back. They kept giving me confidence."
Cece was credited with 26 saves in the opener, but the Badgers (12-1-1 overall) endured their first loss of the season because they were unable to solve her counterpart, Maddie Rooney, who finished with 45 stops.
The following day, junior winger Annie Pankowski scored three straight goals to break open a 1-1 game and give Cece her initial collegiate victory.
Johnson outlined the degree of difficulty facing Cece in her first weekend of action.
"Duluth has gotten off to a good start," he said of its current 8-3-3 overall record. "They're ranked No. 3 in the country. They're playing at home. They're playing with a bunch of confidence. They've got five seniors that are good college players, so we were going to be challenged."
How did Cece handle it?
"In both games, she gave us a chance to win," Johnson said.
After the opener, Cece watched some educational video clips compiled by UW associate head coach Dan Koch. Johnson said she applied those lessons in the second game and they paid immediate dividends when the Bulldogs outshot Wisconsin 12-6 and erased an early 1-0 deficit.
"Without her performance I think Saturday in the first period, we're probably down maybe (two goals)," Johnson said. "What she gained from Friday's game helped her that first period when we needed her."
If Desbiens can't go Friday night and/or Saturday night when Wisconsin hosts Cornell (6-3-1) in a non-league series at LaBahn Arena, Cece figures to get the call.
"If the opportunity comes, for sure I'll be ready," she said.
Cece, who was 20-1-2 with seven shutouts for the Oakville Hornets club team last season, expects to be more comfortable and confident.
"After getting your first couple of games out of the way you have a little bit more calmness in the net," she said. "You just kind of know where you stand."
Cece got the milestone win with her parents, Carlo and Christine, looking on.
"I know those are some big shoes to fill; Ann-Renée is an amazing goalie," Cece said. "I knew going into it I just had to play my game and do the best I could."
Cece said playing back-to-back days "wasn't too tough." However, she has a greater sense of appreciation for Desbiens and her remarkable career statistics (81-12-6, 0.94 goals against average, .952 save ratio).
"I knew going into (to the games at Duluth) how tough they were going to be and seeing the records that Ann has broken throughout the last couple years, it's unbelievable and amazing for her," Cece said. "I'm proud of her.
"Playing the games you can definitely tell that she has to stay in it (mentally) and she competes non-stop."
Cece said she spoke with Desbiens before both games in Duluth.
"She was one of those people that gave me a lot of confidence, kept telling me to play my game and don't focus on anything anyone else says," Cece said.
Good advice.
