Wisconsin women's hockey celebrates a goal against St. Thomas at LaBahn Arena on Jan. 13, 2024
Taylor Wolfram

Women's Hockey

Five Things to Know: No. 2 Badgers host Tommies in first round of WCHA Playoffs

UW opens the postseason with a series against St. Thomas

MADISON, Wis. – It is time for the postseason and the second-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team is preparing to host St. Thomas this weekend at LaBahn Arena for the first round of the WCHA Playoffs. Puck drop on Friday is set for 5 p.m. The second game of the series starts at 4 p.m. on Saturday and if a third game is necessary that would take place on Sunday at 4 p.m.

A limited amount of tickets are available through UWBadgers.Com Tickets for the third game, if necessary, would go on sale following the conclusion of Saturday’s game online or in person at LaBahn Arena. 

All parking is available for purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis, credit or debit, and is subject to availability. Availability for parking in all lots is based on space. Therefore, there is no guarantee of availability to park upon your arrival to the lot. Please note other events occurring in the immediate area of LaBahn Arena the weekend of March 1-3 that may impact day-of-game parking availability and pricing: 

• Friday, March 1: Men’s Hockey vs. Michigan State (8 p.m.) 
• Saturday, March 2: Men’s Basketball vs. Illinois (12 p.m.); Men’s Hockey vs. Michigan State (8 p.m.) 
• Sunday, March 3: Women’s Basketball vs. Michigan State (1 p.m.)

For more information and specific pricing, please view our parking map here. 

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Wisconsin vs. St. Thomas

The #2 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team defeats #1 Ohio State 4-2 in the LaBahn Arena at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / Wisconsin Athletics Communications)

1. LAST TIME OUT

The Badgers last faced No. 1 Ohio State this past weekend at LaBahn Arena, resulting in a series split as the Buckeyes took Friday’s series opener, 3-1, before the Badgers triumphed OSU, 4-2, in the series finale on Saturday. Maddi Wheeler scored the lone goal in Friday’s contest as the Badgers were unable to fend off the Buckeyes’ strong offense. 

Casey O’Brien and Laila Edwards each tallied a pair of goals on Saturday night as UW scored four unanswered to take down the top-ranked team in front of a sold-out crowd. Ava McNaughton stopped a career-high 33 shots to help lead UW to its 11th ranked win of the season. 

The #2 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team defeat #5 Minnesota 4-3 in overtime in the LaBahn Arena at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on Feb. 16, 2024. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / Wisconsin Athletics Communications)

2. FRESHMAN ON FIRE

For the second time in her career, freshman Ava McNaughton has been named the WCHA Rookie of the Month as she picked up the honors for February. 

McNaughton went 4-0-0 in net for Wisconsin and picked up ranked wins against then-No. 10 St. Cloud State, then-No. 5 Minnesota and No. 1 Ohio State. Her 1.00 goals-against average was the fourth-best mark in the league among all goaltenders while her .955 save percentage ranked fifth. 

The Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, native also earned two shutouts in February, including a 4-0 win over No. 5 Minnesota.

The #2 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team defeats #1 Ohio State 4-2 in the LaBahn Arena at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / Wisconsin Athletics Communications)

3. MOVING UP THE WIN CHARTS

The Badgers will head into the postseason with a 29-5-0 record and are looking to become the first team in the country to reach 30 wins this season. 

Wisconsin was able to prevent top-ranked Ohio State from reaching 30 victories first after upsetting the WCHA rival at home in the series finale this past weekend. A 30th win would mark the 10th time the Badgers have had a 30-win season and the first time since the 2018-19 season.

The #2 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team defeats #1 Ohio State 4-2 in the LaBahn Arena at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on Feb. 23, 2024. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / Wisconsin Athletics Communications)

4. PLAYOFF SUCCESS AT LA BAHN

The Badgers will begin their quest for a WCHA-best 10th tournament title this weekend at LaBahn Arena with the WCHA First Round series. 

Wisconsin holds a 16-1 record in WCHA playoff games at LaBahn Arena, and a 22-1 record in all games in the postseason played at home. UW has won its last 19 postseason contests played at LaBahn Arena.

Laila Edwards battles a St. Thomas player at LaBahn Arena

5. AGAINST THE TOMMIES

The Badgers are undefeated against the Tommies, posting a 11-0-0 record since first meeting St. Thomas in the 2021-22 season. In their 11 meetings, the Badgers have outscored the Tommies 58-9, and UW added four wins over UST this regular season. 

Senior Casey O’Brien has enjoyed 23 points thanks to nine goals and 14 assists in the 11 meetings with UST, while sophomore Kirsten Simms has posted six goals and six assists in just seven games against the Tommies.