Zach Urdahl and Corson Ceulemans celebrate 2021 Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off shootout winning goal
Damon Prestby

Men's Hockey Clara Boudette

Quick Six: Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off

Badgers face Lake Superior State in first tournament matchup

Men's Hockey Clara Boudette

Quick Six: Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off

Badgers face Lake Superior State in first tournament matchup

MADISON, Wis. — The Badgers return to action this Wednesday and Thursday in the second annual Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee. The Badgers captured the inaugural event last year.

Here are six quick things to know before watching (Tickets):

Rosters: Badgers || Lake Superior State || UMass || Clarkson

1 - KWIK TRIP HOLIDAY FACE-OFF: The Badgers are back at Fiserv Forum to defend their title as Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off champions after Zach Urdahl won it for Wisconsin in the sixth round of a shootout over No. 15 Providence last year.

Wisconsin will face off with Lake Superior State in its first match of the tournament. A win would send them straight to the championship game to face either Clarkson or UMass.



2 - FIRSTS OF THE SEASON: Three Badgers checked off season milestones in Wisconsin's previous series against conference-rival Minnesota.

Liam Malmquist scored his first goal of the season in dramatic fashion on a breakaway in the third period. Junior defenseman Luke LaMaster also notched his first career point with an assist on Malmquist's goal.



Anthony Kehrer netted his first tally of the season minutes later on a cross from Cruz Lucius and Carson Bantle.



3 - KEEP CRUZIN': Freshman forward Cruz Lucius added a trio of assists to his season tally in UW's series against Minnesota.

The freshman forward leads the roster with seven goals and eight assists for 15 points. He has three goals and five assists for eight points in his last five games.

4 - STAR-STUDDED STRAMEL: Freshman forward and potential 2023 first-rounder Charlie Stramel was named to Team USA's roster for the upcoming World Junior Championship in Edmonton Alberta. 

Stramel, who represented Team USA at the re-scheduled 2022 World Junior Championship back in August, helped extend the streak to seven consecutive years with at least one Badger competing at the World Juniors and the 36th straight event with at least one Badger competitor or staff member taking part in the tournament dating back to 1988.



5 - SCOUTING THE TOURNAMENT: Lake Superior State is 3-13-2 overall and 2-9-1 in the CCHA conference. They are coming off a series split against then No.17 Michigan Tech, notching a 3-0 shutout win before falling 5-1 the following night.

No. 15 UMass comes into the Holiday Face-Off as the top-ranked team with a 7-6-3 record and 3-6-1 showing against Hockey East opponents. Freshman Kenny Connors leads their roster with seven goals for 17 points in 18 games.

The Clarkson Golden Knights are 7-8-2 and 3-3-2 in ECAC play. 



6 - HOW TO WATCH: Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. on Bally Sports Wisconsin Extra on Wednesday. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey 

The Badgers will face either UMass or Clarkson the following night at 7:30 p.m. on Bally Sports Wisconsin (Tickets).
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Players Mentioned

Carson Bantle

#21 Carson Bantle

F
6' 5"
Junior
L
Anthony Kehrer

#24 Anthony Kehrer

D
5' 11"
Junior
R
Luke LaMaster

#26 Luke LaMaster

D
6' 0"
Junior
R
Liam Malmquist

#23 Liam Malmquist

F
5' 10"
Sophomore
L
Zach Urdahl

#6 Zach Urdahl

F
6' 1"
Sophomore
L
Charlie Stramel

#28 Charlie Stramel

F
6' 3"
Freshman
R
Cruz Lucius

#51 Cruz Lucius

F
6' 0"
Freshman
R

Players Mentioned

Carson Bantle

#21 Carson Bantle

6' 5"
Junior
L
F
Anthony Kehrer

#24 Anthony Kehrer

5' 11"
Junior
R
D
Luke LaMaster

#26 Luke LaMaster

6' 0"
Junior
R
D
Liam Malmquist

#23 Liam Malmquist

5' 10"
Sophomore
L
F
Zach Urdahl

#6 Zach Urdahl

6' 1"
Sophomore
L
F
Charlie Stramel

#28 Charlie Stramel

6' 3"
Freshman
R
F
Cruz Lucius

#51 Cruz Lucius

6' 0"
Freshman
R
F