MADISON, Wis. – Excited to get back onto home ice for the first time in three weeks, the No. 15 Badger men's hockey team gets back into Big Ten play this weekend when it plays host to the No. 4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. It marks the sixth consecutive weekend the Badgers will face a ranked opponent to open the season.

Here are six quick things you should know before making the trip to the Kohl Center this weekend:
 
1. TREMENDOUS TURCOTTE: Named the Big Ten Second Star of the Week, freshman Alex Turcotte, the No. 5 overall draft pick to the Los Angeles Kings in this year's NHL draft, scored four points during the Badgers' last series at Omaha. The forward had two points in each game, totaling three goals and an assist. He currently sits tied for first in points for the Badgers next to fellow freshman first-round pick, Cole Caufield.

2. THE RISE OF ROMAN: Sophomore forward Roman Ahcan has been a rock for the Wisconsin offense this season. He currently sits fourth in points for the Badgers with four goals and seven assists. Two of those goals came Friday night at Omaha for his first career two-goal performance. Last season, Ahcan recorded six goals on the entire season and already has four only 10 games into 2019. He also sits with the second-highest plus-minus in the nation at plus-12.

The Badgers are 5-0-0 when Ahcan records a point this season.

3. OF JERSEYS AND TEDDY BEARS: Fans are encouraged to wear their favorite hockey jersey to Friday's game for a chance to win a signed jersey. Saturday is the third annual #UWTeddyToss presented by BMO Harris Bank. Fans can bring in a new stuffed animal to throw on the ice following the game and all will be donated to Toys for Tots.

Tickets are available at uwbadgers.com.

4. HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?: Less than two seasons ago, Wisconsin took on then-No. 1 Notre Dame, who was riding a 16-game winning streak and a 13-0-0 Big Ten record into the United Center in Chicago. But it was the Badgers who rode home with a 5-0 victory. The first-place Fighting Irish enter this weekend at 7-0-1 and with a 3-0-1 Big Ten mark and the Badgers are again in position to snap another Irish streak.

Wisconsin leads 42-23-8 overall versus Notre Dame with games dating all the way back to Wisconsin's first official varsity season in 1922. The rivalry between these two teams have been off and on since then, including time when both were in the WCHA, but it's back in a big way since the Fighting Irish joined Big Ten hockey in the 2017-18 season.

5. SCOUTING NOTRE DAME: The No. 4 Fighting Irish will come into the Kohl Center undefeated with a near-perfect record. The only blemish is a tie to Minnesota on the road. Notre Dame swept the No. 11 Ohio State Buckeyes last weekend at home, bringing momentum into only their second series on the road.

The Fighting Irish are led in scoring by two experienced seniors in Cal Burke and Mike O'Leary. The two have scored 13 and 12 points respectively so far this season and have both boasted recognitions of Big Ten stars of the week. On the defensive end for Notre Dame, goalie time has been split between All-American senior Cale Morris and freshman Ryan Bischel. Both have gone unbeaten this season with Morris taking the one tie against Minnesota, but boasting one more win than Bischel. Morris has played more minutes between the pipes this season so far, but with similar statistics though the season, the Badgers will prep for both options being in the net come Friday night.

6. HOW TO WATCH: For those who can't make the trip to America's College Hockey Capital, Friday night's game will air on Fox Sports Wisconsin (Friday BTN+ stream) and on the FOX Sports app with Saturday night's game available to stream on BTN+. Both games will broadcast on WIBA 1310 with live stats available on uwbadgers.com and live updates @BadgerMHockey on Twitter.