MADISON, Wis. – The sixth-ranked Wisconsin women's hockey team kicks off the postseason this weekend by hosting Minnesota State in a best-of-three WCHA First Round Playoff Series at LaBahn Arena. Puck drop for Friday is set for 7 p.m. while the series finale is set for 3 p.m. on Saturday. If necessary, a third game would be played on Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Tickets for Friday and Saturday's games are available now on UWBadgers.com. Tickets for Sunday's game would be available immediately after the conclusion of Saturday's game. 

With WIAA Individual State Wrestling taking place Feb. 23-25, parking will be limited around LaBahn Arena and the Kohl Center and fans are advised to give themselves extra time to park. Parking on Friday and Saturday will be available for $10 in Lots 29, 46, 83 and 91 while ADA parking is also available for $10 in Lots 48 and 87. Fans are also recommended to check out City of Madison Parking Ramps, including the State Street Campus Ramp that features parking for $8. If a third game is necessary on Sunday, parking in Lots 29, 91 and 46 would be $5 while ADA parking would be available in Lots 48 and 87 for $5. 

Coming to LaBahn this weekend?

Check out our parking map as WIAA State Wrestling is going on next door at the Kohl Center!#Badgers || #OnWisconsin pic.twitter.com/MxRxDQkG85

— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) February 22, 2023

1. LAST TIME OUT: The Badgers wrapped up the regular season with their toughest home test of the season against the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes. The series started out with a thrilling overtime win for UW on Saturday as freshman Kirsten Simms capitalized on a penalty shot to give Wisconsin the edge over the Buckeyes. The Badgers dropped Sunday's decision 3-1 after a hard-fought battle. Ohio State gained the lead with just 55 seconds left to go in the game and UW was unable to come away with a win. 

2. JUNGELS CAPTURES WEEKLY HONORS: Vivian Jungels has been named the WCHA Rookie of the Week for the second time this season after enjoying a three-point week against top-ranked Ohio State. A native of Edina, Minnesota, Jungels tallied three assists and two blocks over the weekend as the Badgers split the series with the top-ranked Buckeyes. She had two helpers in UW's 6-5 overtime win over OSU on Saturday before earning an assist in UW's 3-1 setback on Sunday. 

3. AGAINST THE MAVERICKS: After four meetings in the 2022-23 regular season, Wisconsin completed the season sweep of Minnesota State. Outscoring the MSU 18-5 this season, the Badgers corralled the Mavericks both at home and away. Eleven different Badgers scored against Minnesota State this season, including captain Britta Curl who scored four of the 18 goals. UW has an all-time record of 97-3-3 against MSU, with a 54-2-1 record at home. 

4. NEW WEEK, NEW SEASON: The Badgers enter this weekend looking to capture their league-leading 10th WCHA playoff title. UW holds a 56-17 record in WCHA postseason action and have outscored their opponents 276-107 in conference playoff tilts. UW also holds a 14-1 record in WCHA playoff games at LaBahn Arena, outscoring opponents 67-7. 

5. WCHA PLAYOFF PICTURE: The winner of UW/Minnesota State will advance to the 2023 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff, March 3-4 at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. They will be joined by the winners of the other three WCHA First Round Series as top-seeded Ohio State faces Bemidji State, Minnesota takes on St. Thomas while Minnesota Duluth hosts St. Cloud State. Tickets are now available for the Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff through GopherSports.Com