Quick Six: Michigan State

Friday, January 29

Madison, WI

7 p.m.

Wisconsin Badgers

Michigan State

January 28, 2021 | Men's Hockey

Badgers back at home to face MSU for the first time this season

By: Clara Boudette

MADISON, Wis. — The Badgers (9-7-0, 7-5-0 0-1-0 Big Ten) are back in Madison this weekend for a pair of games against the Michigan State Spartans (6-8-2, 5-8-1 2-1-0 Big Ten) at LaBahn Arena on Friday and Saturday, Jan. 29-30.

Here are six quick things to know before tuning in:

1 - EIGHT STRAIGHT FOR NUMBER EIGHT: Sophomore forward Cole Caufield extended his point streak to eight games last week with a pair of multi-point games against Penn State. The Montreal Canadiens draft pick currently leads the Big Ten with 21 points and his 1.31 points per game average ranks third in the nation among skaters who have played at least 10 games.

📽️: Cole Caufield, a penalty killer's worst nightmare.

🍎: Weissbach, Holloway pic.twitter.com/hmdEZ6z2Dj
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) January 22, 2021

2 - NEW BLOOD: The Michigan State Spartans are the only Big Ten opponent the Badgers have yet to face this season. The two teams were initially slated for a matchup in East Lansing in early December, but that was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns. Senior forward Tarek Baker leads the Badgers in career points against the Spartans with one goal and six assists for seven points in 12 games. Wisconsin currently ranks third in the Big Ten standings and could claim second place if they pick up at least two points this weekend.

3 - HOLLOWAY HEATING UP: After missing eight games with the Badgers to join Team Canada for the 2021 World Juniors Championship, Dylan Holloway is beginning to find his groove again. The Edmonton Oilers first round draft pick was held pointless in his first series back against the Minnesota Gophers but has since put up a point in his last four games, three of which were multi-point games. He had a first star-worthy performance in the Badgers' 5-4 loss to Penn State, notching one goal and two assists for three points on the night.

Dylan Holloway's wrists are lightning. ⚡️ @BadgerMHockey pic.twitter.com/AtlZCHu8TG
— Wisconsin On BTN (@WisconsinOnBTN) January 23, 2021

4 - KEHRER FOR ANOTHER?: Freshman defenseman Anthony Kehrer notched two assists in the Badgers' final matchup with Penn State, proving his reliability on the blueline with upperclassmen Tyler Inamoto and Jesper Peltonen out with injuries. All six of his points this season have come against the Nittany Lions, all in multi-point games. Kehrer also leads the Badgers in plus/minus with a plus-12 rating. UW's next closest player is Tarek Baker at plus-6. The Canadian-native looks to diversify his scoring by putting up points against the Spartans as he has for Penn State.

5 - SCOUTING MSU: Like the Badgers, the Spartans are coming off a split series after losing, 5-1, to Ohio State, then shutting them out, 2-0, the next night. Forwards Tommy Apap and Brody Stevens each recorded a goal and an assist in the Spartans' win. However, they aren't the only ones putting up impressive numbers. Spartans' goaltender Drew DeRidder, a former USA NTDP teammate of Ty Emberson, boasts a .937 save percentage and already has two shutouts under his belt this season.

6 - HOW TO WATCH: Watch the Badgers take on the Spartans at 7 p.m. CT on Friday on Fox Sports Wisconsin Plus and on Saturday at 3 p.m. on Fox Sports Wisconsin or listen on Badger Sports Radio at 1310 WIBA (Friday) and 1070 WTSO (Saturday). Follow along on Twitter and Instagram at @Badgermhockey or with live stats on UWBadgers.com.