MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers are headed to Mendota Heights, Minnesota, this weekend to take on first-time opponent and new WCHA member, the St. Thomas Tommies. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
The games will be available to stream on B1G+.
1. LAST TIME OUT: Wisconsin faced Bemidji State two weeks ago at LaBahn. The teams tied 0-0 on Saturday, with Wisconsin winning the shootout 1-0. On Sunday, the Badgers routed the Beavers 8-1.
Daryl Watts recorded her first career hat trick with the Badgers and seven other players also had multi-point games. Wisconsin had a bye this past weekend.
2. BLUGOLDS AND BOOKS: The Badgers will be hosting the UW- Eau Claire Blugolds in an exhibition game at 7 p.m. on January 10. Instead of purchasing tickets, fans are being asked to bring a new or gently used children's book as a donation for entry to the game. The first 2,273 fans to arrive with a book will be admitted to the game. This is the first time Wisconsin will face a DIII opponent. Parking for this game will be free in Lot 91.
3. TOMMIES TAKEAWAYS: St. Thomas joined the WCHA this season, having previously been a Division III program. The Tommies are the Badgers' second new opponent of the season, as the team faced Merrimack for the first time in program history earlier this season. St. Thomas is currently 2-7-1 in conference play with wins over Bemidji State and St. Cloud State.
4. WATTS' WAY: Daryl Watts is on a mission this season. The senior forward notched a hat trick and an assist against Bemidji State to add four points onto her career totals. She is now sixth in NCAA history for career points with 266. she is also the sole holder of eighth in NCAA history for career goals with 119. She needs just 38 more points to have scored the most points in NCAA history and 39 goals would put her on top of most goals in NCAA history.
5. STAT LINES: Multiple Badgers are leading in different statistical categories across the country. Watts leads the country in plus/minus with a +25 rating while
Makenna Webster is second at +24 and
Grace Bowlby and
Casey O'Brien are tied for third at +22. O'Brien leads the country in goals with 14 and Webster is tied for second with 12. O'Brien also has the most game-winning goals with four and Webster is tied for the most power play goals at five.
Kennedy Blair has the most wins among all goaltenders in the nation with 12 and the must shutouts with five.
