Game Coverage
Friday, Feb. 2 | 5 pm CT — Columbus, Ohio.
Game Coverage
Saturday, Feb. 3 | 2 pm CT — Columbus, Ohio
MADISON, Wis. – – The No. 1 Wisconsin women's hockey team opens its February slate on the road with a series at No. 6 Ohio State this weekend. Puck drop at the OSU Ice Rink in Columbus on Friday is slated for 5 p.m. CT while Saturday's series finale begins at 2 p.m.
Fans can follow the game on Twitter (@BadgerWHockey) and check UWBadgers.com following each game for a recap.
1. CLAUDE'S BACK IN COLUMBUS: This weekend's series at Ohio State marks a return for UW senior co-captain Claudia Kepler, as the forward spent three years in Columbus before transferring to UW prior to the 2016-17 season. During her time at OSU, Kepler led the Buckeyes each season in goal scoring and wrapped up her Ohio State career with 38 goals and 67 points. This season for UW, Kepler has a team-leading 17 goals, which ranks second in the WCHA and 20 points in 28 games.
2. YOU GO ROWE: Sophomore Maddie Rowe picked up her first WCHA weekly honor on Tuesday as the River Falls, Wisconsin, native was named the WCHA Offensive Player of the Week. Rowe recorded two goals and an assist in UW's 4-0 win over St. Cloud State on Saturday, marking her first collegiate multi-goal game. Rowe has been on fire for UW the last eight games with three goals and six assists while her nine points are tied for the team lead during the span.
3. SEVENTH HEAVEN: The Badgers are on the verge of winning the WCHA regular season for the seventh time in program history. UW needs a point in Columbus to clinch a share of the league crown while two or more points this weekend would give the Badgers the title outright. UW also looks to win its third-straight league title, which would mark the first time in program history the Badgers have accomplished the feat.
4. STARTING STRONG: After outscoring SCSU 4-0 in the first period last weekend, UW has now outscored its opponents 36-6 in the opening frame this year. The Badgers +30 goal differential in the first stanza is the best mark by a NCAA Division I team. Sophomore Abby Roque has been stellar in the first period, as 15 of her 31 points have come in the first 20 minutes.
5. SCOUTING OSU: Ohio State currently sits in third in the WCHA standings with 37 points through 18 games after being swept last weekend at Minnesota Duluth. However, the Buckeyes have played two less games than Minnesota, who sits in second place with 38 points after 20 games in the books.
OSU is led by freshman Emma Maltais, who leads the WCHA in points with 33 thanks to 11 goals and 22 assists. Fellow freshman Tatum Skaggs leads the league in goals with 18 in 28 games this year. Kassidy Suave has been solid in net for the Buckeyes with a 2.17 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and seven shutouts.
