Game One Coverage
Friday, Jan. 18 | 7:07 p.m. - Minneapolis
Game Two Coverage
Saturday, Jan. 19 | 4:07 p.m. - Minneapolis
MADISON, Wis. –  The top-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey team heads north to take on second-ranked Minnesota this weekend at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. Puck drop on Friday is set for 7 p.m. while the series wraps up on Saturday with a 4 p.m. contest.
Both games can be seen online via BTN Plus or FloHockey.
1. FANTASTIC FRESHMEN: The freshman duo of Britta Curl and Sophie Shirley have been on fire for the Badgers as of late as the duo scored three of UW's five goals in the Badgers' 5-2 win at No. 7 Ohio State. Since Oct. 28, Curl has 10 goals and 14 points, which ranks second on the team, while Shirley also has 14 points thanks to seven goals and seven assists. Shirley's shooting percentage of .269 is also the league-best mark during the time frame.
2. ON THE AIR AGAIN: This weekend's series at Minnesota is the first of four regular-season series that can be heard on the Madison airwaves. Both games this weekend in the top-two Border Battle can be heard on 100.9 FM or via the iHeartRadio app as Reid Magnum will have the call. In addition, both games against Minnesota State (Feb. 9-10), Minnesota Duluth (15-16) and Ohio State (Feb. 22-23) can be heard on the iHeart family of networks.
3. NO CHANCE(S):Â One of the keys to the Badgers success this year has been the team's ability to limit shots on goal for its opponents. UW is limited opponents to an average of 16.14 shots on goal per game, which is more than five shots less than second-place in the NCAA. UW has allowed less than 20 shots in 17 of its 22 games this year and has a perfect 17-0-0 record in those situations.
4. ANOTHER HONOR FOR ANNIE: Annie Pankowski was named a nominee for the 2019 Hockey Humanitarian Award, the foundation announced last week. Pankowski looks to become the second Badger to win the award that is presented annually to college hockey's finest citizen. Pankowski has volunteered countless hours during her UW career with Occupaws, an organization that helps train guide dogs in the state of Wisconsin.
5. HISTORY WITH THE GOPHERS: Since the start of the 2015-16 season, the Badgers hold a 10-6-2 record against the Golden Gophers, including a 3-3-2 record at Ridder Arena. UW swept the regular-season road series last year in Minneapolis, earning a 3-2 win in the opener before nabbing a thrilling 2-1 overtime win in the finale.
Earlier this year, the Badgers and Golden Gophers split their series in Madison. Minnesota handed UW's its first loss of the year, a 1-0 setback, before the Badgers' earned a 4-1 win in the series finale. Since that game, the Golden Gophers have won 14 straight games while UW has won 11 of its last 12 games.
