Casey O'Brien takes a shot on 2.21.25 against Bemidji State
Ian Wilder

Women's Hockey

Five things to know: No. 1 Badgers host Bemidji State in WCHA First Round

Wisconsin opens postseason play against Beavers

MADISON, Wis. – The top-ranked Wisconsin women’s hockey team will host Bemidji State in a best-of-three series in the first round of the WCHA playoffs this weekend. Puck drop at LaBahn Arena is set for 7 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday. Should it be necessary, game three is slated for 2 p.m. on Sunday. 

Tickets are sold out but may be available on SeatGeek. Fans who can’t make the game can stream the action on B1G+ or listen to Paul Braun, Zach Sielaff and Mark Greenhalgh on The Game 1070.

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 also park in City of Madison Parking Lots, including the State Street Campus Garage and the Overture Center Lot. 

WCHA First Round Parking Map
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How To Follow

Wisconsin vs. Bemidji State

Casey O'Brien takes a shot on 2.21.25 against Bemidji State

1. LAST TIME OUT
Wisconsin put together back-to-back 6-1 victories against Bemidji State in Bemidji to close out the regular season. Kirsten Simms stood out with a six point weekend, including notching her second career hat trick in game two. Casey O’Brien continued a great career record against the Beavers, putting forward a six point weekend on two goals and four assists.

The Badgers scored three power-play goals in game two, which ties their season high. Laila Edwards scored her 30th goal of the season in that game, becoming the seventh Badger of all-time to notch 30 goals in a season.

Ava McNaughton recorded her NCAA-leading 29th win in game one and Quinn Kuntz took over between the pipes in game two to record her second win of the season.

2. DUO EARNS RECOGNITION
Kirsten Simms and Caroline Harvey earned WCHA Player of the Week honors for their roles in helping Wisconsin to a sweep of Bemidji State last weekend.

This is the second time this season Simms received Forward of Week honors, with her first recognition coming back in Dec. 2024. Harvey earned her sixth Defender of the Week honor.

Simms posted a league-high six points in Wisconsin's sweep of the Beavers, tied for first in the league alongside Casey O'Brien. The forward had two assists in UW's 6-1 win on Friday before recording her second career hat trick and an assist in the Badgers 6-1 game two victory Saturday. Simms' three goals were tied for the league lead along with her two power-play goals The Plymouth, Michigan, native's .300 shooting percentage ranked fifth in the league.

Harvey had a goal and an assist in UW's 6-1 win on Friday. The Salem, New Hampshire, native broke the school record for the most points in a single season by a defender with her goal on Friday. With 51 points this season, the junior became the third defender in the last 11 years in the NCAA to record 50+ points in a single season. The blueliners +6 plus/minus rating on the weekend led all league skaters. Harvey's two points were the second most by a WCHA defender.
 

3. ROAD TO DULUTH

The Badgers earned the No. 1 seeding in the WCHA Playoffs by securing the WCHA Regular Season Championship with a win over Minnesota on Feb. 8. Should Wisconsin defeat the No. 8 seeded Bemidji State Beavers this weekend, they’ll punch their ticket to the Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff in Duluth, Minn.

The Final Faceoff is made up of two semi-final games with the teams that advance through the first round of the playoffs. The semi-finals are slated for March 7 and the winners will play for the tournament title on March 8. All games will stream live on B1G+ and tickets are still available.

Casey O'Brien faces off against Bemidji State 10.24.24

4. AGAINST THE BEAVERS

The Badgers are a perfect 4-0-0 against the Beavers this season and have outscored Bemidji State 22-2 this season. The Badgers shutout Bemidji State in both home games earlier this season and have not allowed a Beaver goal at LaBahn Arena since Oct. 21, 2023. 

Wisconsin leads the all-time series with BSU 96-7-5. UW has won its last 17 against Bemidji State and is unbeaten in its last 20 matchups with BSU.

The last time the Badgers met Bemidji State in the first round of the WCHA Playoffs in February of 2022, Wisconsin defeated the Beavers 2-1 in game one and 5-0 in game two. Casey O’Brien scored two goals in game two, including the game-winning goal.

Wisconsin Badgers' goaltender Chloe Baker (32) during an NCAA women's hockey match against Lindenwood Friday September 27, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin.Photo by Tom Lynn/Wisconsin Athletic Communications

5. HOME ICE ADVANTAGE

Wisconsin is a perfect 14-0-1 on home ice this season, with their one tie against St. Cloud State ending in a shootout win. The Badgers track record at home includes defeating No. 2 Ohio State, sweeping No. 3 Minnesota as well as several other ranked victories.

Their highest margin of victory was a 12-0 victory over Lindenwood in the season opener and Wisconsin has eclipsed the five goal mark seven other times at home this season.