Quick Six: Badgers return to Kohl Center for season opener

Wisconsin plays in front of fans and at the Kohl Center for first time since February 2020

Men's Hockey October 07, 2021 Clara Boudette

Quick Six: Badgers return to Kohl Center for season opener

Wisconsin plays in front of fans and at the Kohl Center for first time since February 2020

Wisconsin Roster || Michigan Tech Roster || Live Stats
Friday Stream || Saturday Stream

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team begins its 2021-22 campaign Friday, Oct. 8, at the Kohl Center in Madison. The defending Big Ten regular-season champions will take on non-conference opponent Michigan Tech in a two game weekend series.

Here are six quick things to know before tuning in:

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - DIGITAL TICKETING (ARRIVE EARLY), COVID (MASKS REQUIRED), CASHLESS CONCESSIONS

1 - HOME SWEET HOME: The Badgers will play their first game in the Kohl Center since Feb. 22, 2020. That's 595 days since playing in front of a student section and real life fans (not cardboard cutouts). UW played its home games during the 2020–21 campaign next door at LaBahn Arena without fans.

What time are you coming to the Kohl Center on Friday?

Here's some tips for using your phone or printed ticket to get into the Kohl Center 🎟 pic.twitter.com/g442qZiHOX
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 5, 2021

2 - FROM THE HISTORY BOOKS: The Badgers are 4-1-0 in five games against Michigan Tech in season openers, including four consecutive victories. UW opened the 2017–18 season with a 3-2 win over the Huskies in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Game at the Kohl Center and also owns season-opening wins against MTU in 1999–2000, 1991–92 and 1990–91. UW's lone loss came at the start of the 1970–71 campaign. Michigan Tech is part of the re-formed CCHA. The program was in the now-defunct men's WCHA last season.

3 - NEW FACES IN RED AND WHITE: Wisconsin boasts 10 new faces on the ice this season. In addition to Max Johnson, junior goaltender Jared Moe transferred from Minnesota, while sophomore forward Carson Bantle is a Michigan Tech transfer. UW also welcomes seven freshmen, including forwards Zach Urdahl, Liam Malmquist, Brayden Morrison and Caden Brown, and defensemen Corson Ceulemans, Jake Martin and Daniel Laatsch.

4 - ENCORE: Captain and forward Tarek Baker, alternate captain and defenseman Tyler Inamoto and defenseman Josh Ess each are using their fifth-year of play due to COVID. Forward Max Johnson, who scored 48 goals and 123 points in 143 games played at Bowling Green, joins the Badgers for his fifth season of college hockey. He also boasts 12 career game-winning goals after tying for sixth in the nation with four last season.

5 - GRANATO'S GRACE: 2021 and 2017 Big Ten Coach of the Year and the 2018 U.S. Olympic Team coach Tony Granato leads the Badgers in his sixth season behind the bench. The 13-year NHL veteran and 13-year NHL head and assistant coach was an All-American as a player at Wisconsin. He is part of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2020, which will be formally inducted on Dec. 9 in Denver.

6 - HOW TO WATCH: Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Watch live on Bally Sports Wisconsin or listen in on 1310 WIBA for Friday's game and Fox Sports 1070 on Saturday. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey

We'll would you look at that? It's game week.

GAME ON!!!

See you at the Kohl Center 😄 pic.twitter.com/M9qvlvj6cv
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 4, 2021

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Players Mentioned

#16 Tarek Baker: F; 5' 10"; Senior; L

#20 Josh Ess: D; 5' 11"; Senior; L

#5 Tyler Inamoto: D; 6' 2"; Senior; L

#2 Daniel Laatsch: D; 6' 5"; Freshman; L

#4 Corson Ceulemans: D; 6' 2"; Freshman; R

#17 Jake Martin: D; 6' 0"; Freshman; R

#27 Caden Brown: F; 5' 11"; Freshman; L

#8 Max Johnson: F; 5' 10"; Senior; R

#23 Liam Malmquist: F; 5' 10"; Freshman; L

#6 Zach Urdahl: F; 6' 1"; Freshman; L

Players Mentioned

#16 Tarek Baker
: 5' 10"; Senior; L
: F

#20 Josh Ess
: 5' 11"; Senior; L
: D

#5 Tyler Inamoto
: 6' 2"; Senior; L
: D

#2 Daniel Laatsch
: 6' 5"; Freshman; L
: D

#4 Corson Ceulemans
: 6' 2"; Freshman; R
: D

#17 Jake Martin
: 6' 0"; Freshman; R
: D

#27 Caden Brown
: 5' 11"; Freshman; L
: F

#8 Max Johnson
: 5' 10"; Senior; R
: F

#23 Liam Malmquist
: 5' 10"; Freshman; L
: F

#6 Zach Urdahl
: 6' 1"; Freshman; L
: F

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