MADISON, Wis. – After a long month off of Big Ten hockey, the Badgers will be back in action this weekend when they host the No. 8 Ohio State Buckeyes in the Kohl Center. Here are six quick things to know before stopping in:
1. MISSION EXHIBITION: Although the Badgers have been out of regular season action for a month, Wisconsin faced off against the U.S. Under-18 Team in an exhibition on New Year's Day. The exhibition was an opportunity to get back out on the ice after a long two weeks of practice for some much needed gameplay.
Dominick Mersch,
Sean Dhooghe and
Jack Gorniak all scored in the Badgers' 3-2 victory while Wisconsin's defense saw action from all three goalies.
2. RECAPPING WORLD JUNIORS: While most Badgers partook on New Year's Day's exhibition game, four Badgers represented the United States in the 2020 World Junior Championship.
Cole Caufield,
Alex Turcotte,
Ty Emberson and
K'Andre Miller all wore the red, white and blue during the tournament from December 26 through January 2. The US went 3-1 during pool play, but dropped its quarterfinal to Finland, 1-0. Caufield, Turcotte and Miller all tallied two points during the tournament. The most significant came in the final game of pool play when Caufield scored in overtime against the Czech Republic on a give-and go with Turcotte.
3. RARE AIR: Freshman forward
Cole Caufield's 20 points at the break are the most for a Badger since the 2011–12 season when Justin Schultz (28 points) and Mark Zengerle (27) did so in 18 games. His 12 goals are the most since Blake Geoffrion had 14 during his 2009–10 Hobey Baker Award-winning season.
Caufield's 20 points are the most for a freshman at the break since Joe Pavelski put up 21 points over the first 18 games during the 2004-05 season. Caufield's 12 goals are the most since Dany Heatley scored 15 in 18 games before the break during the 1999-2000 campaign.
4. SCOUTING OHIO STATE: Ranked No. 8 overall, the Buckeyes boast a 13-5-2 record going into this weekend's series. They also boast the reigning Big Ten third star of the week in senior Tanner Laczynski. Laczynski recorded three points in the Buckeye's series against Colgate including a game-winning goal. He also leads all scoring for Ohio State with 20 points. Sophomore forward Gustaf Westlund is right behind with 18 points on the season, including a team high nine goals.
Leading the offense from the defense for the Buckeyes is Wyatt Ege. Ege has nine points on the season so far along with fellow defensemen Grant Gabrielle who also has 25 blocks on the year. In goal for the Buckeyes will most likely be Junior Tommy Nappier. Nappier holds the Big Ten's lowest goals per game average at 1.86.
5. HOW TO WATCH: Fans can file into the Kohl Center to watch the Badgers take on the Buckeyes (
Tickets). Broadcasts will also be available both nights via radio on 1310 WIBA. Watch the game Friday on ESPNU at 8 p.m. and FOX Sports Wisconsin Plus on Saturday at 7 p.m. Live updates and stats are also available at uwbadgers.com and by following
@BadgerMHockey on Twitter.
6. UP NEXT: After the Buckeyes, Big Ten play will be back in full swing again across the conference with the Badgers facing off against Michigan State at home Jan. 17 and 18, then traveling to Notre Dame Jan. 24 and 25.
