Game Coverage
Saturday, March 10 | 2 pm — LaBahn Arena
MADISON, Wis. – For the sixth time this year, the Wisconsin women's hockey team will take on Border Battle rival Minnesota on Saturday, but the stakes this time are high. The No. 2 Badgers and No. 5 Golden Gophers will meet in an NCAA quarterfinal at 2 p.m. on Saturday at LaBahn Arena with a trip to the 2018 NCAA Frozen Four on the line.
The game, which sold out within minutes, can be seen live online for free via BTN2Go and heard on 1310 WIBA as Reid Magnum and Mark Greenhalgh are on the call. Fans attending the game can park in Lot 91 from 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
1. HOME, SWEET HOME: It's safe to say that LaBahn Arena is one of the best environments in college hockey as UW is undefeated at its home barn this year with a 16-0-0 ledger. Wisconsin has sold out 50 of the 111 games at the six-year old barn and leads the NCAA in attendance this year, averaging 2,255 fans per home game.
This season, UW has outscored its opponents, 66-12, at LaBahn Arena, good for a +3.38 scoring margin average, which leads the nation. UW's goals-against average of 0.75 in home games also leads the NCAA, while UW's penalty-kill clip of .929 is also tied for the NCAA lead.
2. BORDER BATTLE HISTORY: Wisconsin and Minnesota are two of the most historic programs in women's college hockey as the two have combined to win 10 NCAA titles. Almost half of the U.S. Olympic Team played at either UW or Minnesota as 11 Badgers and Golden Gophers combined to help Team USA win gold at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games.
UW and Minnesota have met five times in the NCAA Frozen Four, but this weekend's game marks only the second time the Border Battle rivals have met in the NCAA quarterfinal round. The last time the Badgers and Golden Gophers met in the NCAA quarterfinals was in 2008 when Jinelle Zaugg scored the game-winning goal in OT to lift UW to the 2008 NCAA Frozen Four.
3. TOURNEY TIME: This marks the fifth-straight year UW has made it to the NCAA tournament and the 12th time in school history the Badgers have made it to the Big Dance. UW is 21-7 in NCAA tournament games and has won its last 10 NCAA quarterfinal games.
UW has also been stellar in NCAA games at LaBahn Arena with a 4-0-0 record, while outscoring its opponents 20-2.
4. SPREADING THE LOVE: One of the keys to the Badgers' success this year has been their balanced attack. Eight different Badgers have nine or more goals this year, led by senior captain Claudia Kepler, who has 20 tallies. In addition, 15 Badgers have 12 or more points, including Abby Roque, who has a team-best 37.
5. UP NEXT: The winner of UW/Minnesota will advance to the 2018 NCAA Frozen Four, held at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. The victor will take on the winner of Colgate/Northeastern in a semifinal game on Friday, March 16, that will be shown live on BTN.
