The #2 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team defeat #5 Minnesota 4-3 in overtime in the LaBahn Arena at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on Feb. 16, 2024. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / Wisconsin Athletics Communications)
Taylor Wolfram

Women's Hockey

Five Things to Know: No. 2 Badgers head to Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff

UW continues postseason journey with Border Battle

MADISON, Wis. – The No. 2 Wisconsin women’s hockey team continues postseason action this weekend with the 2024 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff. The Badgers take on Border Battle rival Minnesota on Friday in a 4:30 p.m. contest at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. The winner of the Border Battle will take on the victor of Ohio State and MInnesota Duluth on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are still available for the WCHA Final Faceoff here. Fans that can’t make it to the tournament can watch the Badgers in the Madison area on TVW (Channel 3-2) or can listen to the action on The Game 1070 AM as Paul Braun and Mark Greenhalgh have the call from the Twin Cities. 

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Wisconsin vs. Minnesota

The #2 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team defeats St. Thomas 9-1 in the first round of the WCHA Tournament in the LaBahn Arena at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on March 2, 2024. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / Wisconsin Athletics Communications)

1. LAST TIME OUT

The Badgers opened up the WCHA playoffs with a sweep of St. Thomas in the first postseason meeting between the two teams. UW earned a 4-2 win on Friday before blitzing UST, 9-1, on Saturday. 

Britta Curl enjoyed a seven-point weekend while Kirsten Simms and Casey O’Brien each had six points during the sweep. Wisconsin improved to 24-1 in playoff games at LaBahn Arena and have won its last 21 postseason games in Madison. 

2. BACK AT BLARNEY'S

Prior to puck drop on Friday, the Badgers will host a fan event at Blarney Pub and Grill starting at 2 p.m. The UW Band and Bucky Badger will be in attendance and there will also be fan giveaways while supplies last. 

If the Badgers win on Friday, fans are welcome to come back to Blarney Pub and Grill on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. for another pregame tailgate. More information can be found here. 

3. ALL OF THE AWARDS

After finishing the regular-season with a runner-up finish in the WCHA, a league-leading nine Badgers were recognized with All-WCHA honors. 

A trio of Badgers earned first-team All-WCHA honors in forwards Kirsten Simms and Casey O’Brien and defender Caroline Harvey. Forwards Britta Curl and Lacey Eden were named to the All-WCHA Second Team while fellow forward Laila Edwards took home third-team All-WCHA accolades. 

The freshman trio of forward Cassie Hall, defender Ava Murphy and defender Laney Potter also collected WCHA All-Rookie honors.

The #2 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team defeat #5 Minnesota 4-3 in overtime in the LaBahn Arena at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on Feb. 16, 2024. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / Wisconsin Athletics Communications)

4. AGAINT THE GOLDEN GOPHERS

Wisconsin trails the all-time series against Minnesota, 50-57-16, but the Badgers controlled the Border Battle in the regular season, with a 3-1-0 record. 

When playing Minnesota earlier in the season in Minneapolis, the two rivals split the series, with the Badgers bouncing back with a 5-1 triumph after dropping the series opener, 5-3. 

When hosting the Gophers in February, UW battled back in overtime to defeat Minnesota, 4-3, before blanking the rival, 4-0, in the series finale. 

The #2 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team defeats St. Thomas 9-1 in the first round of the WCHA Tournament in the LaBahn Arena at the University of Wisconsin- Madison on March 2, 2024. (Photo by Taylor Wolfram / Wisconsin Athletics Communications)

5. SELECTION SUNDAY

The WCHA tournament isn’t the only postseason action on the horizon for the Badgers as the NCAA tournament is just around the corner. The NCAA Women’s Hockey Selection Show will take place on Sunday at 11 a.m. on ESPNews. 

The Badgers, who claimed their record-seventh NCAA title last year, look to make their 18th appearance at the national championship and their 11th-straight appearance.