MADISON, Wis. – With its first national ranking in over two years, the 14th-ranked Wisconsin men's hockey team is back on the road for the third-straight week, this time to face off against the No. 1 Minnesota Golden Gophers on Thursday and Friday, Oct. 26-27.

Here's six quick things to know before tuning in:

Rosters: Badgers || Gophers

1 - GUESS WHO'S RANKED, RANKED AGAIN: For the first time since the preseason of 2021-22, Wisconsin has made USCHO's top-20 men's hockey rankings. The Badgers' strong start with five wins in six games catapulted them into the top-20  and cemented their spot as number 14 in the nation. It's the program's best start since the 2004-05 season. UW also checks in at No. 18 in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll
 

New to the polls 📈#75thSeason || #NextChapter pic.twitter.com/DdvWxHKRHl

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 23, 2023

The Badgers have met a No. 1 Minnesota team for a pair of series in recent years, including last season and in 2020-21. Both times the Badgers posted a split against the Gophers, though both series took place in Madison.

2 - ROAD WARRIORS: The Badgers are coming off a sweep of then-No. 17 Michigan Tech, winning game one of the series 4-2 and game two 5-2. The games mark the team's first win(s) over a ranked opponent this season. The games also mark the second and third road victories of the season, matching last year's season total and surpassing the season prior. 

THE BADGERS SWEEP NO. 17 MICHIGAN TECH!! 🧹🧹#NextChapter || #75thSeason pic.twitter.com/eg4WmUKMD0

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 22, 2023

3 - DEDICATED DEPTH: The Badgers showed off their depth last weekend with every single one of the nine goals scored over the course of the series being netted by a different player. Freshman forward William Whitelaw, senior forward David Silye, junior defenseman Daniel Laatsch and sophomore forward Cruz Lucius all scored in game one. 
 

How it happened Friday at No. 17 Michigan Tech 🙌#75thSeason || #NextChapter pic.twitter.com/nWjE65i5yb

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 21, 2023

Senior forward Mathieu De St. Phalle, freshman defenseman Joe Palodichuk, senior forward Carson Bantle, freshman forward Sawyer Scholl and graduate student defenseman Mike Vorlicky scored in game two. 
 

A SWEEP for your 5-1-0 Badgers#75thSeason || #NextChapter pic.twitter.com/OJa3T42xwg

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 22, 2023

Whitelaw, Silye, and Scholl each scored their first goals as Badgers, while Laatsch and Vorlicky each tallied their first goal of the season. 

4 - POWER PLAY PLUGGED IN: The power in Wisconsin's special teams turned up last weekend with three of UW's five goals on Saturday scored outside of five-on-five play. The Badgers' netted two power-play goals, scored by Mathieu De St. Phalle and Carson Bantle, and a short-handed goal scored by Mike Vorlicky into an empty net. 

5 - SCOUTING MINNESOTA: Through four games, the No. 1 Golden Gophers sit 3-1. Most recently, they split a series at then-No. 5 North Dakota, winning 4-0 and dropping a 2-1 contest. Prior to last weekend, they swept their season opening series versus St. Thomas, winning game one 6-5 in overtime and game two 3-0. 

Sophomore forward Jimmy Snuggerud currently leads the roster with seven points, tallying five goals and two assists through four games. 

6 - HOW TO WATCH: Both games have a scheduled puck drop time of 8 p.m. and are available to watch live on the Big Ten Network. The audio play-by-play will be available 1310 WIBA and the Badgers Radio Network, while also airing on the Badger app or The Varsity Network. You can also follow along on X/Twitter and Instagram @BadgerMHockey