Wisconsin Badgers' forward Lacey Eden (6) embraces her teammates during the Wisconsin women's hockey game vs. Minnesota Duluth at LaBahn Arena on Dec. 2.
Tom Lynn

Women's Hockey

Five Things to Know: No. 3 Badgers open 2024 at home against Merrimack

Badgers and Warriors meet for only the second time in program history

MADISON, Wis. – The No. 3 Wisconsin women’s hockey team opens the 2024 calendar year with a home series against Merrimack this weekend at LaBahn Arena. Puck drop on Friday is set for 7 p.m., while Saturday's contest begins at 5 p.m. 

Both games are sold out, but fans can watch the action on Big Ten Plus or listen to the games on The Game 1070 AM. 

Fans should note that parking this season will be $5 per game in Lots 29, 46 and 91. ADA parking is also available for $5 in Lots 44 and 87 and is subject to availability. Fans should note there is a UW men's basketball game on Saturday at 1:15 p.m. 

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Wisconsin vs. Merrimack

The Badgers celebrate a goal against Minnesota

1. LAST TIME OUT

The Badgers wrapped up 2023 with a Border Battle split at No. 2 Minnesota. After falling 5-3 in the series opener on Dec. 8, the Badgers bounced back on Dec. 9 with a 5-1 triumph against the Golden Gophers as Lacey Eden scored twice in the win. 

Ava McNaughton made 23 saves in the victory to earn her second career win against a ranked opponent.

Kirsten Simms posted four points during the split thanks to two goals and two assists and was named the WCHA Forward of the Week for her efforts.  

2. PRO HOCKEY DEBUT

The Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) launched on Jan. 1 and a total of 16 Badgers are playing in the league. In addition to the UW alumni on the ice, a trio of former UW standouts are on the benches as Carla MacLeod is the head coach in Ottawa, Stef McKeough is an assistant coach for Boston and Sis Paulsen is serving as Minnesota's equipment manager.

Six Badgers were in action in the first-ever game on Jan. 1, as New York, which features UW legend Abby Roque, blanked Toronto, 4-0.

On Wednesday night, Sophia (Shaver) Kunin scored the game-winning goal and Mellissa Channell added an assist to lead Minnesota to a 3-1 win over Boston. 

3. HARDWARE FOR HARVEY

Wisconsin women's hockey sophomore Caroline Harvey has been recognized as the WCHA Defender of the Month for December, the league announced on Tuesday.

It marks the fourth time that the Salem, New Hampshire, native has received WCHA monthly honors. The second-team All-American was named the WCHA Rookie of the Month in September and October for the 2022 year, and was named the WCHA Defender of the Month in September in 2023.

Harvey posted four points, which was the second-most by WCHA defenders, and recorded a stellar +7 plus/minus rating that ranked second among all league skaters. The defender recorded points in three of UW's four games in the month and posted seven blocked shots as well.

The Badger Women’s Hockey team defeats Boston College 5-3 in the LaBahn Center at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on October 4, 2023. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / UW-Athletics)

4. MOVING UP THE CHARTS

Thanks to a goal against Minnesota on Dec. 9, captain Britta Curl now ranks 10th in school history in career goals with 77 during her time with the Cardinal and White. The Bismarck, North Dakota, native currently sits in 14th in school history in career points with 155 and is only 15 points from moving into the top-10. 

Fellow forward Casey O'Brien is also moving up the career charts in points as the senior has 139 career points, which ranks 18th in program history. The Milton, Massachusetts, needs only 11 points to become the 15th player in program history with 150 career points. 

Wisconsin Badgers' forward Casey O'Brien (26) during an NCAA womenÕs hockey match against Minnesota Duluth Saturday December 2, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo by Tom Lynn/Wisconsin Athletic Communications

5. AGAINST THE WARRIORS

This weekend's series marks only the second time that UW and Merrimack have met on the ice in women's hockey as the Badgers swept the Warriors during the 2021-22 season. 

UW earned a sweep in North Andover, Massachusetts, defeating Merrimack 4-0 on Oct. 1, 2021 and 5-0 on Oct. 2, 2021. Senior Casey O’Brien recorded five points during the road sweep, Sarah Wozniewicz scored twice and Marianne Picard also tallied a goal.