The Wisconsin women's hockey team in game vs Bemidji State at LaBahn Arena on Oct. 20
Taylor Wolfram

Women's Hockey

Five Things To Know: Badgers return home to host Bulldogs

UW will play its first home series in more than a month this weekend

MADISON, Wis. –  The No. 2 Wisconsin women’s hockey team is returning home for the first time in six weeks to host No. 6 Minnesota Duluth in a WCHA showdown at LaBahn Arena. Puck drop on Saturday is set for 4 p.m while Sunday’s series finale begins at 3 p.m.

Both games are sold out, but fans can watch the games live on Big Ten Plus. Saturday’s game can be heard on 1070 The Game and Sunday’s contest will be aired on U100.9.

Fans should note that parking this season will be $5 per game in Lots 29, 46 and 91 is subject to availability. ADA parking is also available for $5 in Lots 48 and 87 and is subject to availability. In addition, fans should be mindful of construction areas around the Kohl Center and LaBahn Arena. 

On Saturday, fans are encouraged not to arrive until after 1:30 p.m. due to the lots being at capacity for the men's basketball game at 11 a.m. Also on Saturday, fans must leave their parking lots immediately following the women's hockey game to make way for men's hockey permit holders.

On Sunday, women’s hockey fans should be mindful that there is a women’s basketball game at the Kohl Center at noon.

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How To Follow

Wisconsin vs. Minnesota Duluth

Wisconsin fans cheer on the Badgers during a game against Minnesota State

1. Home Cooking

The Badgers are back at home for the first time since Oct. 21 after a six-game road trip. UW is 6-0-0 when playing at LaBahn Arena thus far in the season, including a scoring differential of 44-6. Wisconsin last faced Bemidji State at home on Oct. 20-21, taking down the Beavers, 4-0, in the series opener before wrapping up the series with a 8-1 triumph. 

Mark Johnson salutes to the crowd after picking up his 600th career win

2. NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK

UW head coach Mark Johnson announced last week that four incoming freshmen have signed their National Letter of Intent to join the Wisconsin women's hockey program next fall. Forwards Hannah Halverson (Edina, Minnesota), Finley McCarthy (Whitefish, Montana), Maggie Scannell (Wynantskill, New York) and defender Emma Venusio (Toronto, Ontario) are set to join the seven-time NCAA Champion Badgers in the 2024-25 season. 

3. BADGERS IN THE PROS

Former Badger blueliner, Natalie Buchbinder, has signed a two-year contract with PWHL Minnesota. Picked 37th overall in the seventh round of the inaugural PWHL draft, Buchbinder joins fellow Wisconsin alumni, Sophia (Shaver) Kunin in Minnesota. Kunin was chosen 60th overall by Minnesota.

4. RIVALRY RENEWED

 A total of 13 Badgers will compete in the second round of the Rivalry Series between the U.S. and Canada in December. Eight Badgers will suit up for Team USA, including six current Badgers in Britta Curl, Lacey Eden, Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey, Kirsten Simms and Anna Wilgren. Simms will make her U.S. senior team debut while Edwards recently made her USA debut in November at the first round of the Rivalry Series. The group of six will join Badger alums Hilary Knight and Abby Roque on the U.S. roster. Five former Badgers will compete for Hockey Canada as Kristen Campbell, Emily Clark, Ann-Renee Desbiens, Sarah Nurse and Blayre Turnbull will don the maple leaf against the US. The two teams will play on Dec. 14 and Dec. 17 and both games will be shown in the U.S. on NHL Network.

Britta Curl handles a puck against Minnesota Duluth in a WCHA matchup on Jan. 8, 2023 at LaBahn Arena

5. AGAINST UMD

Wisconsin leads the all-time series against Minnesota Duluth 57-36-16, including a 24-15-8 record when playing in Madison. Recently, the Badgers have controlled the series against the Bulldogs, as they hold a 13-5-1 record since the 2018-2019 season.