WHKY vs. UMD

Women's Hockey

Five Things to Know: No. 1 Badgers open WCHA play vs. No. 3 Minnesota Duluth

The Badgers take on the Bulldogs Saturday and Sunday to open WCHA play

MADISON, Wis. – The Wisconsin women's hockey (4-0-0, 0-0-0 WCHA) team plays their WCHA conference opening two-game home series Saturday and Sunday  at 2 p.m. against the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs (3-1-0, 2-0-0 WCHA).

Tickets are sold out. Patrons coming to the games should note that parking is available in Lots 29 and 46 for $5 and ADA parking is available in Lot 48 and 87 for $5. 

Fans that can't make it out can listen to the action on 1070 The Game as Paul Braun and Mark Greenhalgh will have the call from LaBahn Arena. Fans can also watch the games live on Big Ten Plus. 

Here are five things to know about the series.

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Wisconsin vs. Boston College

Casey O'Brien takes a faceoff against Boston College

1. LAST TIME OUT

Wisconsin comes into the series after a strong road trip in Chestnut Hill against Boston College. The Badgers posted seven goals in each game and a shutout in game two for a combined scorline of 14-1. Laila Edwards, Casey O’Brien and Lacey Eden all enjoyed multi-goal games.

Badger co-captain O’Brien put together seven points on four assists and three goals in the two games, reaching 201 career points after game two. O’Brien put up a four point night in game one alongside Kelly Gorbatenko who notched four assists. 

2. RUN IT BACK

After being recognized as players of the week in week one, the Badger co-captains Casey O’Brien and Caroline Harvey put together two more strong performances to earn WCHA honors for the second week straight. O’Brien earned WCHA Forward of the Week honors and Harvey earned WCHA Defender of the Week honors.

Harvey led all WCHA defenders last week with two goals. The Badgers co-captain also led the WCHA through the two games with three points and 1.50 points per game. On top of that, Harvey added her first power play goal of the season. Harvey leads all WCHA defenders in terms of points and points per game

O'Brien tied for first in the WCHA in the two games in terms of goals and goals per game. O'Brien also led the WCHA through the two games in points and points per game. The Wisconsin co-captain shared the lead for assists and assists per game alongside fellow Badger Kelly Gorbatenko.

Wisconsin Badgers' Mark Johnson during an NCAA womenÕs hockey match against Lindenwood Friday September 27, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. Photo by Tom Lynn/Wisconsin Athletic Communications

3.  A MILESTONE FOR THE JOHNSONS

With Saturday’s victory, Mark Johnson and his father Bob Johnson combined for 1000 coaching wins for the Badgers. 1966–1975 and 1976–1982 Wisconsin men’s hockey head coach and Stanley Cup winner with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Bob Johnson finished his career with 367 wins. Mark Johnson just collected his 633 coaching win on the women’s bench, enough to bring the father-son duo to 1000.

Lacey Eden and Laila Edwards celebrate a goal

4. FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS


Wisconsin has outscored opponents 34-2 through four games this season. The Badgers outshot opponents 219-55 in the four contests, with netminders allowing only two goals on the 55 shots they’ve faced. Thirteen different Badgers lit the lamp so far with 17 players on the roster contributing to at least one goal with an assist. Six Wisconsin skaters are averaging at least two points per game so far.

The Badgers offense is tied for first nationally in several categories, including goals and scoring offense. The Badgers lead the nation in scoring margin.
 

5. AGAINST UMD

The Badgers won three of four games against UMD last year. Wisconsin firmly controls the all-time series 60-37-15. The Bulldogs were the first official opponent the Badger women’s hockey program ever faced in 1999. The teams have won five each in their last 10 meetings.

The last time the teams met in January 2024, the Badgers mounted a four-goal third period comeback to beat UMD 5-4. Kristen Simms scored the game winner and Lacey Eden notched two goals in that contest.