MADISON, Wis. — The top-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey program will host No. 4-ranked Quinnipiac in a series beginning on New Years' day. This will be the first matchup between the teams at LaBahn Arena.
Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. The games are sold out, but fans can watch the action live on B1G+.
Fans should note that parking is free in Lot 91 on Saturday and Sunday beginning two hours before puck drop.
1. LAST TIME OUT: Last time the Badgers competed was on the road against the Beavers. Wisconsin swept Bemidji State with a 5-1 win in the first game, followed up by a 5-2 victory in the second game of the series. Following the game, Daryl Watts and Nicole LaMantia earned WCHA weekly honors. Watts earned Forward of the Week after putting up two goals and one assist in each game. LaMantia earned Defender of the Week for the third time this season after recording multiple assists in both games to lead the league.
2. QUINNIPIAC QUICK FACTS: Wisconsin has faced Quinnipiac six times in the past and holds a 6-0-0 record against the Bobcats, including the four games that were played in the Kohl Center. The two teams have not squared off since September 27, 2008. The Bobcats are currently ranked No. 4 in the USCHO Division I poll.
3. TOP-TWO TUSSLE: This weekend's series isn't only a top-four showdown according to the USCHO Poll, but it is a top-two matchup according to the USCHO Pairwise Rankings, a system that mimics mimic the method used by the NCAA Selection Committee to determine participants for the NCAA National Collegiate Women's hockey tournament. This weekend's series will mark the fourth time UW has faced a top-10 team in the USCHO Pairwise Rankings as the Badgers have faced No. 3 Ohio State, No. 5 Minnesota and No. 10 Minnesota Duluth.
4. SEEING DOUBLE: Badgers freshman Sophie Helgeson will face a familiar opponent in Quinnipiac as the defender's twin sister, Kate Helgeson, is a forward for the Bobcats. In addition, Sophie and Kate's father, Jon Helgeson, played men's hockey at UW and won a NCAA title with the Badgers in 1990 while her mother, Jill, competed for UW in track and field.
5. BOOKS AND BLUGOLDS: Wisconsin's next game following its series against Quinnipiac will be an exhibition game against UW Eau Claire on Monday, Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. at LaBahn Arena. 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.
