MADISON, WIS. – The Wisconsin men's hockey team officially opens its 2024-25 season with a series against the Lindenwood Lions on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12, at the Kohl Center.
Friday's game starts at 7 p.m. and Saturday's game starts at 6 p.m. Both games stream on B1G+.
Here's six quick things to know before tuning in:
Rosters: Badgers || Lions
1 - COMEBACK KIDS: On Saturday, Oct. 5, Wisconsin traveled to then-No. 15 Omaha for a preseason exhibition game where the Badgers won, 3-2, in overtime.
Down 2-0 heading into the third period, junior forward Tyson Dyck and senior defenseman Daniel Laatsch each scored a goal in the final 20 minutes of regulation to force overtime. Sophomore forward Quinn Finley scored the game-winning goal almost four minutes into the extra time to send the Badgers into the regular season with a win.
The exhibition game provided a first look at Wisconsin's 2024-25 roster, allowing almost every player, including all three goaltenders, the chance to suit up and get experience in NCAA play before the regular season.
2 - HASTINGS LOOKS TO MAKE HISTORY: This year, head coach
Mike Hastings begins his second season behind the bench at UW. If the Badgers win on Friday against Lindenwood, he would accomplish something former head coaches Bob Johnson, Jeff Sauer, Mike Eaves and Tony Granato never did – open his first two seasons with a victory.
The Hastings-led Badgers won their first three games last year and improved 13 victories from the prior season to finish 26-12-2 with their highest win total since the 2009-10 team finished as NCAA runners-up.
3 - WELCOME BACK TO THE KOHL: For the first time since March 2024, Wisconsin men's hockey is back at the Kohl Center!
The Badgers' 34-game regular-season slate includes 18 home games, with 12 home games taking place after Thanksgiving, and just one non-conference series at the Kohl Center over the semester break.
Click here to buy tickets, and
click here to view the full men's hockey game promotions schedule.
4 - KOATS FOR KIDS: On Saturday, fans attending the game are encouraged to bring new/gently used winter coats to donate to kids and teenagers in need through the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County. Collection boxes will be located outside entrances to the Kohl Center.
Click here to learn more about Koats for Kids and the Boys and Girls Club of Dane County.
5 - SCOUTING THE LIONS: Lindenwood heads into its regular season opening series after sweeping club team UNLV in a pair of exhibition games on Oct. 5-6, winning game one, 5-1, and game two, 6-3.
The Lions return sophomore forward Jake Southgate, who led all rookies on the roster in 2023-24 with five goals and nine points. Over the offseason, sophomore goaltender Owen Bartoszkiewicz transferred from Minnesota to LU, and he made 14 saves in the Lions' 5-1 exhibition win against UNLV.
6 - HOW TO WATCH: Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Friday and 6 p.m. on Saturday. The games will stream live on B1G+ while audio play-by-play can be found on 1310 WIBA and the Badger Radio Network as well as on the Badgers app and The Varsity Network app. You can also follow along on X/Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Before you head to the Kohl Center this weekend or anytime this season, check out the
Know Before You Go Page to help make your visit as enjoyable as possible.
