Five Things To Know: No. 2 Badgers welcome No. 8 Bulldogs to Madison

MADISON, Wis. – The second-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey team is returning back home for the first time since November this weekend with a matchup against No. 8 Minnesota Duluth. Puck drop is set for 1 p.m. CT on Saturday and 12 p.m. CT on Sunday at LaBahn Arena. Both games are sold out.

Fans should note that parking this season will be $5 per game in Lots 29, 46 and 91 is subject to availability. ADA parking is also available for $5 in Lots 48 and 87 and is subject to availability. All parking lots will open four hours prior to the weekend events. On Saturday, fans must leave their parking lots immediately following the women's hockey game to make way for men's hockey permit holders while on Sunday fans should leave immediately following the game to make way for women's basketball permit holders.

Fans can watch the action live on B1G+ or follow all the action on Twitter @BadgerWHockey.

1. LAST TIME OUT: Wisconsin split the series with non-conference opponent Quinnipiac in a New Year's showdown this past weekend, taking down the Bobcats 3-0 on Saturday before suffering a three-point drawback on Sunday. Badgers Nicole LaMantia, Lacey Eden and Britta Curl each lit the lamp in the triumph over No. 4 Quinnipiac, while goalie Cami Kronish stopped all 21 shots she faced to record her fifth shutout of the season. Captain Curl and linemate Sophie Shirley each hit exciting milestones during the win, with Curl tallying her 100th career point, and Shirley grabbing her 100th career assist.

A milestone day for these two #Badgers!

Congrats @sophieshirley9 and @brittacurl! pic.twitter.com/wqvAz8nIE3
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) January 1, 2023

2. SIMMS' SUCCESSFUL DECEMBER: Following a seven-point month, freshman Kirsten Simms has been named the WCHA Rookie of the Month. The Plymouth, Michigan, native recorded a point in every game for UW in December, including a four-point weekend at Minnesota State on Dec. 9-10 with a goal and three assists. Simms' honors marks the third time this season a Badger rookie has been named the WCHA Rookie of the Month, as Caroline Harvey picked up the award in September and October.

3. LAMANTIA EARNS WEEKLY HONORS: Senior Nicole LaMantia has picked up her first weekly conference honors of the season, as the league named her the WCHA Defender of the Week. The Wayne, Illinois native tallied her 10th goal of the season just 88 seconds into the Badgers' 3-0 win over Quinnipiac, making her only the seventh Badger blueliner to reach double-digit goals in a season.

4. AGAINST UMD: The Badgers have already faced UMD this season, splitting the series with the Bulldogs at AMSOIL Arena in Duluth, Minnesota to take four of six points. Minnesota Duluth took the first game 2-1 after forcing overtime late in the third period, before Wisconsin bounced back to stun the Bulldogs 4-3. Wisconsin last hosted Minnesota Duluth on Feb. 4-5, 2022, resulting in a win for each team. The Badgers are 6-3-1 in their last 10 matchups against the Bulldogs and are 31-4-4 against UMD since the start of the 2013-14 season.

5. OUTDOOR SKATE UPDATE: Due to unseasonable temperatures, the Wisconsin women's hockey team and Madison Parks have decided to move the 2023 Outdoor Skate at Vilas Park to Tuesday, Jan. 17 from 6-7:30 p.m. Skate rentals and concessions will be available for a fee from the warming shelter through Madison Parks. Admission is free and all ages are welcome to attend. If conditions do not allow for skating on Jan. 17, the team will hold a meet and greet at Vilas Park during that time.