DULUTH, Minn. — Jinelle Zaugg has been in this exact spot.

For the third straight year, the senior left winger scored two goals in a NCAA Frozen Four game to lift the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team to victory.

She did it Thursday night as the Badgers claimed a 4-1 win over Harvard in the national semifinals.

It was the same thing in the 2005-06 title game during a
3-0 decision over Minnesota and the 2006-07 semifinals during a 4-0 triumph over St. Lawrence.

"She just goes to a different level here," UW junior goaltender Jessie Vetter said of Zaugg, "and that's what you've got to do, because you're playing against the best teams and it's for the national championship."

Earlier this season, though, Zaugg was in a most unfamiliar place.

During a Dec. 1 home game against Western Collegiate Hockey Association rival Minnesota-Duluth, Zaugg found herself watching from the bench during the third period.

UW coach Mark Johnson wasn't pleased with the overall effort he was getting from one of his senior leaders, so he made a bold personnel move.

It backfired initially as the Badgers wound up coughing up a one-goal lead and losing 3-2 in overtime to the eventual WCHA champions.

But ... 

"I'm glad he did it because it really sparked me," Zaugg said. "It got me going."

At the time of the benching, Zaugg had eight goals in 18 games and the Badgers were 10-6-2.

Since then, Zaugg has 16 conversions in 22 games and the Badgers are 19-2-1.

Zaugg broke the program record for career goals — her total now stands at 89 — and UW has moved within 60 minutes of its third straight national championship.

One year after scoring in the fourth overtime to produce a 1-0 victory over Harvard, Zaugg used her hard, heavy shot to contribute with goals in the second and third periods.

The first was a rocket from the left point that capped a three-goal surge. The second was a tap-in following a great passing sequence featuring freshman center Mallory Deluce and sophomore right winger Meghan Duggan.

"Just from experience, I know Zaugg has a pretty good shot," Vetter said. "I just tell her to shoot whenever possible because I know how difficult it is for me."

Zaugg believes Johnson put her on the bench in part to light a fire under a young club.

"I know there's a reason for everything he does," Zaugg said.

The message was clear.

"It's not a given that I'm going to play every game," Zaugg said. "It's a chance I can play and it's a blessing I can.

"For the team in general, it was, 'Don't be secure in your position on the team. You have to work hard. You have to work hard. You can get sat. You better keep working or you're not going to play.' "

Looks like everyone took it to heart, which is why the Badgers are, once again, on the verge of something big.