1. KEEPING THE STREAK

The Badgers have now won all six of their games this season. They’ve swept their way past Bemidji State, Maine and now UMD as of this past weekend. In the Badger's most recent series against Duluth, they notched a 4-3 win on Saturday and a 4-0 shutout on Sunday. 

During Saturday's game, Cassie Hall and Caroline Harvey scored two goals in less than 20 seconds of play to bring them back from a 3-2 deficit. In the second game of the series, Harvey, Laney Potter, Lacey Eden, and Adéla Šapovalivová all scored to lead Wisconsin to a sweep.

2. HOMETOWN HERO

Maggie Scannell is from Wynantskill, N.Y., just 25 miles away from Schenectady, and is looking forward to going back to her roots for the tournament. The sophomore forward has garnered seven points in six games, including a hat trick in Wisconsin’s season opener against Bemidji. Last season,  Scanell recorded 13 goals and five assists in 36 games. 

Maggie Scanell On playing in her hometown:

“I’m incredibly excited to play so close to home. It's a full circle moment, a blessing to play in front of a community that has provided endless support. I'm grateful for the love and support of my family, including coaches, neighbors and friends, who will be there cheering us on and reminding us that our Badger family is truly an extension of home. This team is so special and I can’t wait to take the ice together”

3.  WEEKEND WARRIORS

After a sweep against No. 4/5 UMD, two Badgers were awarded WCHA Players of the Week honors. Kirsten Simms was named WCHA Forward of the Week, and Captain Caroline Harvey collected the WCHA Defender of the Week award.

Both Badgers tied for the WCHA lead in points last week with four. Simms' three assists led all WCHA skaters. Harvey collected two goals and two assists over the week, scoring in each game.

4. HISTORY OF THE ICE BREAKER

The Ice Breaker Tournament was created in 2019 by the Ice Hockey Commissioners Association. The first tournament included Colgate, UConn, Mercyhurst, and the champion, Minnesota Duluth.

The 2024 winner was Ohio State, with other participants being Cornell, Penn State, and Stonehill. This is Wisconsin’s first invitation to play in the tournament, and the first time it is being hosted in Schenectady. 

5. AGAINST VERMONT/UNION/SAINT ANSLEM.

It’s been 20 years since the Badgers last faced the Vermont Catamounts in 2005, and they are 4-0-0 against them.

This will be the Badgers' first time possibly facing off against Saint Anslem. However, Wisconsin played Union College once during a series in 2007, in which the Badgers swept. Junior Cassie Hall has some personal connections to the school. Her sister, Courtney Hall, is Union's Assistant Coach.

Cassie Hall on playing against her sister:

“It's going to be a very special weekend. My whole family is going to be there. It’s always something really special to get to play against her. I looked up to Courtney my whole life, so to have her as a coach and me as a player is something special."