Five Things to Know: Badgers set for border battle in last home series of regular season
February 05, 2025 | Women's Hockey
No. 1 Wisconsin will take on No. 3 Minnesota on Saturday and Sunday
MADISON, Wis. – The No. 1 Wisconsin women’s hockey team faces a second-straight top-ten opponent this week as they take on No. 3 Minnesota at LaBahn Arena this Saturday and Sunday. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. CT on Saturday and noon CT on Sunday.
Fans in the Madison area can watch Saturday's games on TV on TVW. Fans can also stream the border battle on B1G+ or listen to Paul Braun on The Game 1070.
How To Follow
Wisconsin vs. Minnesota
1. LAST TIME OUT
The Badgers claimed five of six available WCHA points in a top-ten showdown against No. 6 Minnesota Duluth this past weekend. The Badgers took game one with a 2-1 overtime win and came back from a 1-0 deficit in game two to win 2-1 in regulation.
Kirsten Simms scored the game-winning goal for the Badgers in overtime in game one and Sarah Wozniewicz notched the game-winner in game two. The comeback win for the Badgers in game two extended their unbeaten run to 16 games. Wisconsin outshot UMD 48-26 Sunday, marking the 23rd time this year UW has outshot its opponent.
2. SENIOR DAY
Wisconsin will honor their senior class ahead of game one of the series against Minnesota this Saturday. The Badgers will honor forwards Lacey Eden, Marianne Picard, Sarah Wozniewicz and Casey O’Brien as well as defender Katie Kotlowski and netminder Quinn Kuntz. In addition, senior manager Avery Berry will be honored.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for the ceremony, which is slated to begin at 1:40 p.m. ahead of the 2 p.m. puck drop.
The Badgers and Golden Gophers will be wearing green ribbons on their helmets to raise awareness for mental health.
3. TWO HONORS FOR AVA
Sophomore netminder Ava McNaughton has been named the WCHA Goaltender of the Month for January as well as WCHA Goaltender of the week after last week's performances against UMD.
The sophomore started in all nine of Wisconsin's games last month, helping UW to an undefeated 7-0-2 record in January. The Seven Fields, Pennsylvania, native led all league goaltenders with over five games played with 1.45 goals against average, ranking third overall. McNaughton tied for second in the league with one shutout and ranked second among WCHA netminders with over five games played with a save percentage of .938.
McNaughton leads the nation this year in goals against average and paces the country with 26 wins in 29 appearances. She leads the league this season and ranks second nationally in save percentage and shutouts. The sophomore is also on the HCA National Goaltender of the Year Watch List.
4. AGAINST THE GOLDEN GOPHERS
Wisconsin swept Minnesota earlier this season when the two teams met at Ridder Arena in the Twin Cities. The Badgers put together a 5-0 shutout of the Golden Gophers in game one. Wisconsin put together an impressive comeback from a three-goal deficit in game two to secure the series sweep with a 4-3 victory.
Wisconsin trails the all-time series against Minnesota 54-57-16 but are 15-5-4 in their last 24 games the Golden Gophers. Since the start of the 2016-17 season, they've posted an impressive 25-10-8 record in the border battle. Wisconsin has not lost a game at home to Minnesota since December 3, 2021.
5. LABAHN SEASON REWIND
Sunday will mark Wisconsin’s last home game of the regular season. So far this season, Wisconsin is undefeated at LaBahn Arena. They’ve scored 75 goals across 13 home games and only allowed 15 goals to opponents. The Badgers overall record at home is 12-0-1 with the one tie ending in a shootout win over St. Cloud State.
Including the weekend's series, the Badgers have four games remaining in the regular season. They've clinched a home playoff berth for the WCHA playoffs, which means fans have more home hockey to look forward to. The first round of the WCHA playoffs will take place at LaBahn Arena on February 28, March 1 and, should a third game be necessary, March 2. Wisconsin's opponent will be determined by final WCHA standings. The WCHA Final Faceoff will occur in Duluth, Minnesota, the following week.
