Wisconsin Badgers
Ohio State
Five Things to Know: No. 2 Badgers wrap up regular season against No. 1 OSU
February 20, 2024 | Women's Hockey
Top-two teams to battle it out at LaBahn Arena this weekend
MADISON, Wis. – The second-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team will wrap up its regular season with a battle against No. 1 Ohio State this weekend at LaBahn Arena. Puck drop on Friday night is at 7 p.m. and Saturday’s regular-season finale begins at 8 p.m.
Both games are sold out but fans can watch Friday’s game on Big Ten Plus while Saturday’s contest will air nationally on Big Ten Network as Dan Kelly and former UW captain Baylee Wellhausen will have the call. Fans can also listen to both games this weekend on The Game 1070 AM or via the iHeartRadio app.
Women’s hockey patrons should note that WIAA Individual Wrestling at the Kohl Center will be occurring simultaneously with this weekend’s series at LaBahn Arena. Due to capacity crowds expected for both events and various campus and private lot construction projects, there is expected to be significant congestion around the immediate area of the Kohl Center and LaBahn Arena. All day-of-game parking for women’s hockey patrons is sold on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on availability. Therefore, there is no guarantee of space upon your arrival to the parking lot. Patrons are encouraged to visit UWBadgers.com/Parking for more information regarding construction projects and alternative suggested travel routes. Fans can view this map for more information.
Still not over this Laila Edwards goal ??#NCAAHockey x ?? @B1GHockey pic.twitter.com/LfvVktPesH
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) February 17, 2024
1. LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin hosted the No. 5 Minnesota Golden Gophers this past weekend at LaBahn, which ended in a sweep for the Badgers. UW reigned victorious with a 4-3 overtime win on Friday evening, before shutting out the Gophers 4-0 in the series finale on Saturday.
Laila Edwards called game for Wisconsin on Friday almost two minutes into overtime after successfully slipping one in behind her back while falling down. On Saturday, Kirsten Simms scored back-to-back goals to help lead UW to the sweep and their 15th-straight win.
Goalies Jane Gervias and Ava McNaughton each picked up their 14th wins of the season in the series.
2. THANK YOU SENIORS
Before puck drop on Friday’s game, Wisconsin seniors Britta Curl, Chayla Edwards, Katie Kotlowski, Casey O’Brien, Maddi Wheeler and Anna Wilgren will be honored for their contributions to the program. Fans should be in their seats at 6:40 p.m. for the Senior Day celebration.
Five of the six soon-to-be graduates have won at least two NCAA championship titles during their time with the Badgers, in addition to countless WCHA accolades from all six of the seniors.
3. POINTS GALORE
Sophomore Kirsten Simms became the first player in the NCAA this season to reach 60 points thanks to her assist in UW’s 4-0 win against Minnesota on Saturday. Simms became only the 10th Badger to post 60 points in a single season and the first to do so since Daryl Watts and Sophie Shirley each had 60+ points during the shortened 2019-20 season.
Britta Curl also became the third different Badger to record 50 points this season, joining the likes of Simms and Casey O’Brien. It marks the first time that Curl, who ranks 11th in school history in career scoring with 168 points, has posted 50 points in a single season.
4. CREAM OF THE CROP
The Badgers are 7-5-2 in their last 14 games against the top-ranked team in the country, including a 3-3-1 record last season.
Wisconsin earned a pair of wins against No. 1 Ohio State as UW defeated the Buckeyes 6-5 in an overtime thriller at LaBahn Arena on Feb. 18 before defeating then-No. 1 OSU 1-0 in the 2023 NCAA Championship game.
5. PLAYOFF TIME AT LA BAHN
Wisconsin will be back in action next weekend at LaBahn Arena as the Badgers will host a WCHA first-round playoff series on March 1-3. Thanks to UW’s second-place finish in the WCHA Standings, the Badgers will face the seventh seed in the tournament, which will be either Bemidji State or St. Thomas.
Puck drop on Friday, March 1 is set for 5 p.m. The second game of the series will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 2 and if a third game is necessary that would take place on Sunday, March 3 at 4 p.m.
Tickets for the first two games of the series are now on sale and can be purchased here.If a third game is necessary, tickets will go on-sale at the conclusion of the second game on Saturday, March 2 in person or online.
