MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team skates in its final pair of games of the regular season in a border battle against the No. 4 Minnesota Golden Gophers on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 25-26 in Minneapolis. 

Rosters: Badgers | Minnesota

Here are six quick things to know before tuning in:

1 - STELLAR DE ST. PHALLE: Sophomore forward Mathieu De St. Phalle continues to dazzle for the Badgers, earning Big Ten third Star of the Week for his four-point performance against Notre Dame in UW's most recent action. De St. Phalle's two goals and two assists helped lead the Badgers to a split of the series against the then No. 11 ranked team. He currently leads the Badgers' roster with 10 goals this season. He produced his first career three-point game in the victory.

.@mattydsp28 is 🔥

Four-point weekend. Seven in four games.@B1GHockey ⭐️⭐️⭐️ of the Week pic.twitter.com/SRfS1Zjy0d

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 15, 2022

2 - FIRST KEHR-EER GOAL: Sophomore defenseman Anthony Kehrer checked off a major career milestone against Notre Dame when he scored for the first time as a Badger. In the final minute of the first period on Feb. 12, De St. Phalle bumped the puck out to Kehrer on the top of the left faceoff circle, where the right-handed D-man fired a wrister and hit the top corner.

📽️: Kehrer's first career goal!

🍎: DSP, Bantle pic.twitter.com/ZiISeMLDmZ

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 13, 2022

3 - WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS: The Badgers got goals from people with extended goal-scoring droughts against Notre Dame on Feb. 12-13. Senior defenseman Josh Ess, junior forward Ryder Donovan and sophomore defenseman Anthony Kehrer all scored their first goals since at least October. The Badgers also got their first goal from senior forward Jack Gorniak after a 12-game drought. Gorniak sealed the UND victory with an empty-net tally, his first since Dec. 11 against Penn State.

📽️: Esser with goal no. 4!

🍎: DSP, Gorniak pic.twitter.com/zGVMOaCNh6

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 13, 2022

4 - BIG TEN TOURNAMENT: The Badgers (9-20-3, 6-15-1 1-2-0 Big Ten) currently reside in fifth place in Big Ten standings, three points ahead of Penn State and six points in front of Michigan State. The Badgers are locked in to finish either fifth or sixth place. Wisconsin will travel to either Ohio State or Notre Dame next week to open the Big Ten tournament. The best-of-three series runs March 4-6.

The Badgers are in position to play spoiler with Minnesota sitting two points out of first place heading into the final weekend of the regular season.

5 - SCOUTING THE GOPHERS: Minnesota (21-11-0, 16-6-0 1-2-0 Big Ten) ranks fourth in the nation and second in the Big Ten conference. They beat Penn State on the road, 3-1 and 6-4, for their third series sweep in a row. Blake McLaughlin tops the roster with 12 goals and 29 points in 32 games played. Sammy Walker is right behind with 12 goals and 25 points.

Wisconsin and Minnesota split their series earlier in the season, with the Badgers claiming a 4-3 overtime victory on Nov. 5 at the Kohl Center, before Minnesota grabbed a 4-1 victory the next evening.

It was nice to have the weekend off, but it's Gopher Week#OnWisconsin || #Badgers pic.twitter.com/lRblV8NQAn

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 21, 2022

6 - THANK YOU, BADGER FANS: The Badger hockey family thanks everyone who supported and cheered on the Badgers this season!

You all make this THE best place to play.

Thank you to our season-ticket holders, the @CreaseCreatures and everyone else who came out to the Kohl Center this regular season.

We can't say it enough how much we appreciate your support. #OnWisconsin || #Badgers pic.twitter.com/x566E8G5CL

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 17, 2022

HOW TO WATCH: Puck drop is set for 8 p.m. on Friday on ESPNU and 7 p.m. on Friday on Big Ten Network. Follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey

📢Schedule Alert📢

Time and TV for Regular-Season Finale Feb. 26 @GopherHockey

⏰ 7 p.m.
📺 @BigTenNetwork #OnWisconsin || #BeatMinny pic.twitter.com/61ZxKvaY5l

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) February 14, 2022