Wisconsin Badgers
Minnesota State University, Mankato
Five things to know: No. 2 Badgers face Minnesota State
October 14, 2026 | Women's Hockey
Wisconsin returns home to play the Mavericks
MADISON, Wis. – The No. 2 Wisconsin women’s hockey team (4-2-0, 0-2-0 WCHA) will face the Minnesota State Mavericks (2-2-0, 0-2-0 WCHA) at LaBahn Arena on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. CT, and Saturday, Oct. 17, at 2 p.m. CT.
Fans can watch the action on B1G+ or listen live to Paul Braun on Fox Sports 1070.
Here are five things to know about the series:
How To Follow
NCAA Tournament Coverage
Oct 16, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.vs Minnesota State University, MankatoMadison, WI- Oct 17, 2026 at 2:00 p.m.vs Minnesota State University, MankatoMadison, WI
1. LAST TIME OUT
Despite a tremendous effort, Wisconsin fell to the No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes in both games of the series.
During the first game, senior Cassie Hall was the only Badger to score, ending in a 2-1 loss for Wisconsin. Alternate captain and goaltender Ava McNaughton recorded a season-high 38 saves.
The Badgers came out firing for game two. Hall found the back of the net just 34 seconds into the first period. Ohio State responded with three goals to take the lead, but the Badgers tied things up as freshman Maddy Kimbrel tallied her first NCAA career goal and alternate captain Laney Potter found the back of the net on a power play.
Ultimately, the Buckeyes found two goals in the third to win the game, 5-3.
2. AGAINST THE MAVERICKS
Overall, the Badgers have a 116-3-3 record against Minnesota State, with a home record of 64-2-1. The two teams last met at the WCHA Final Faceoff where the Badgers defeated the Mavericks, 7-2, to advance to the WCHA Championship game.
In October of 2025, UW played Mankato at LaBahn Arena where Wisconsin collected two shutouts and a sweep, 8-0 and 4-0.
Wisconsin has won the last 25 straight against the Mavericks, with their last loss to MSU being Feb. 8, 2020. Sophie Shirely was the lone scorer for the Badgers in a 3-1 loss to Minnesota State.
3. IN QUEBEC
Last month, Hockey Canada announced the Canada National Women’s Training Team roster, which featured seven Badgers. Current players, Ava Murphy, Rosalie Tremblay and Emma Venusio were joined by UW alum Emily Clark, Ann-Renée Desbiens, Daryl Watts and Sarah Wozniewicz.
Former Badgers Blayre Turnbull and Sarah Nurse were also invited but unable to attend.
During an intersquad game on Monday, Oct. 12, UW freshman Rosalie Tremblay and alumna Sarah Wozniewicz each earned an assist.
Another Red vs. White game will occur tonight at 7 p.m. CT. Murphy, Tremblay and Venusio will return to Madison on Thursday to play with the Badgers this weekend.
4. LEAGUE LEADER
Senior forward Cassie Hall has started the season off on a strong note, having scored a goal or more in each of Wisconsin’s games thus far.
She currently leads the WCHA in goals with seven and ranks second in points with 11 after a three-point weekend in Columbus.
Hall last enjoyed a six-game goal streak her freshman year with the Badgers from Jan. 5, 2024, to Jan. 20, 2024, where she also tallied seven goals in six games.
5. SPOOKY SERIES
After facing Mankato at home, the Badgers will enjoy a bye week Oct. 23-25.
The UW squad will return to the ice against No. 10 St. Cloud State for a spooky Halloween series at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center on Friday Oct. 30 and Saturday Oct. 31. Friday’s game is set for 2 p.m. CT and Saturday’s will be at 1 p.m. CT.
After another bye for the IIHF Women’s World Championship (Nov. 6-8), UW will play two WCHA series against St. Thomas (Nov. 14 and 15) and Bemidji State (Nov. 21 and 22) before facing Union College to close out November (Nov. 28 and 29). All three weekends of play will take place at home.
