Game Coverage
Friday, Dec. 1 | 5 pm — LaBahn Arena
Game Coverage
Saturday, Dec. 2 | 12 pm — LaBahn Arena
MADISON, Wis. – The No. 1 Wisconsin women's hockey team returns to Madison this weekend to face Minnesota Duluth in a two-game series at LaBahn Arena. The Badgers face the Bulldogs on Friday at 5 p.m. CT before concluding the series with a noon matchup on Saturday. Both games were originally scheduled for 7 p.m. starts.
Fans can follow the game on Twitter (@BadgerWHockey) or live on BTN Plus. Following each game, a game recap can be found on UWBadgers.com.
Parking for Friday's game is available for free in Lot 91 from 4-8 p.m., while parking for Saturday's series finale will be available for $5 in Lots 29, 46 and 91. Fans that park in Lots 29, 46 or 91 on Saturday must leave their respective lots immediately following the women's hockey game.
1. SCOUTING THE DOGS:Â Minnesota Duluth holds an overall record of 9-8-0 (5-5-0-0 WCHA) this season, ranking fourth in the WCHA. The Bulldogs' team defense ranks eighth in the country, allowing 2.12 goals per game. UMD heads to Madison after earning two big wins at the Windjammer Tournament, wherein the Bulldogs upset No. 2 Colgate, 4-1, on Friday before earning a 2-1 win over Vermont in the championship game.
The Bulldogs have enjoyed stellar starts from their freshmen class, especially forward Naomi Rogge, who leads the Bulldogs with nine goals and six assists so far this season. Ashton Bell has also scored seven goals and recorded five assists during her freshman campaign.
2. PREMIER MATCHUP: This weekend's series between the Badgers and the Bulldogs features two of the most accomplished teams in women's hockey. Wisconsin holds a 530-132-52 record over its opponents and has claimed four national titles, six WCHA regular-season crowns and seven conference playoff titles. The Bulldogs boast four WCHA regular season championships and five conference playoff crowns. Minnesota Duluth has also appeared in six national title games, claiming five. UMD also holds a winning record with a 352-164-43 all-time ledger. Along with fellow WCHA powerhouse Minnesota, the Badgers and the Bulldogs have won a combined 15 NCAA championships since the tournament's inception in 2001.
3. SPREAD THE SCORING: One of Wisconsin's strengths this year has been its deep scoring power. Six different Badgers tallied goals during the D1 in D.C. tournament last weekend against Hockey East opposition. Eight different Badgers have scored five or more goals this year, including senior co-captain Claudia Kepler, who has a team-leading 10 goals this year. The Badgers, who are averaging 3.6 goals per game this season, have outscored their opponents 64-20 in their first 18 games.
4. HOUSE OF ROQUE: Sophomore Abby Roque has been phenomenal in the Badgers' first 18 contests of the 2017-18 season. The forward currently leads the WCHA in overall point-scoring with 22 points from six goals and 16 assists. Additionally, after notching her second assist against Boston University last weekend, the sophomore hit the 50-point club with a career tally of 14 goals and 36 assists in her first two seasons as a Badger. This year, Roque has recorded a point in 14 of Wisconsin's 18 games, averaging 1.22 points per contest.
5. HOME SUCCESS: After sweeping No. 5 Ohio State at home earlier this season, the Badgers hold a 20-game unbeaten streak at LaBahn Arena. Having not lost a home contest since Dec. 3, 2016, Wisconsin is just 11 games behind its best home unbeaten streak of 31 games, which included the program's first perfect record at LaBahn Arena during the 2015-16 season. Across the 20-game stretch, Wisconsin has blanked teams in 10 games and outscored its opponents 100-12, averaging five goals per contest.
