Friday, October 30
Madison, Wis.
7 p.m.
Wisconsin Badgers
vs
Notre Dame
Photo by: Nolan Kromke
October 29, 2026 | Men's Hockey
Badgers play Friday at 7 p.m. and Saturday at 5 p.m. against the Fighting Irish
GAME NOTES
ROSTERS: WISCONSIN || NOTRE DAME
MADISON, Wis. – The second-ranked Wisconsin men's hockey team finally returns to regular-season action after two weekends off when Notre Dame visits the Kohl Center this Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m.).
The games open Big Ten play for the Badgers, who sit 4-0-0 on the season.
Here are six quick things to know before game day:
1. Turn Two – Despite going nearly three weeks between regular-season games, the Badgers climbed four spots in the national polls from No. 6 to No. 2. You have to go all the way back until April and the final poll of the 2025-26 season to find the last time the Badgers ranked No. 2. UW spent seven weeks last season at No. 2. UW's last week at No. 1 came Nov. 13, 2023.
2. 10 (Home Games) in 6 Weeks – This weekend's games at the Kohl Center open a stretch of 10 home games in six weeks. After this week's opening series against Notre Dame, the Badgers are back at home on Nov. 13-14 against Ohio State, Nov. 20-21 against Penn State, Nov. 28-29 against Canisius and Dec. 10-11 against Omaha.
Buy Tickets
3. Bucky's Pucktoberfest – The second-annual Dachshund Dash opens Bucky's Pucktoberfest on Friday (approximately 6:40 p.m.). Be in your seats early to watch eight dogs sprint to the finish for the coveted trophy. Other activities include the Pepsi Stein-Holding Contest, concourse Pretzel Toss and Guess the Brat Weight contest, on-ice Stein Race, special second period Culver's Curdtoberfest Parachute Drop (if the Badgers score during the period) and Polka Cam.
The first 750 Crease Creatures in attendance on Friday get a Wisconsin Bavarian Hat. On Saturday, the first 600 Crease Creatures receive a Super Mike Hastings T-Shirt.
4. Big Ten History – This season marks the 14th for Big Ten Hockey. The Badgers begin their quest for their second regular-season title this weekend. UW captured the 2021 Big Ten regular-season crown. UW owns four top-two finishes in Conference history and finished fourth last season.
The Badgers were picked to place third this season, according to the coaches. Each of the seven teams in the league own at least one regular-season title other than Michigan.
5. Scouting the Irish – Notre Dame enters the weekend with a 2-4-0 record after falling twice last weekend to then-No. 20 Merrimack at home.
Evan Werner and Danny Nelson pace the Irish with five points each, while Werner leads the team with three goals. In goal, Nicholas Kempf sits 2-2-0 with a 2.75 goals-against average and .922 save percentage to lead the way.
Head coach Brock Sheahan is in his second year directing the program.
Wisconsin has had Notre Dame's number of late, winning all four games last season, six of the last seven and 10 of the last 12 overall.
Last season, defenseman Joe Palodichuk tallied the first and only two-goal game of his career to date in UW's 7-4 victory on Dec. 5.
6. How to watch – The best way is in person at the Kohl Center, but the games stream on B1G+ otherwise. The games also air on the Badger Radio Network, as well as on the Badgers and Varsity Network Apps. You can also follow along on X/Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey.
ROSTERS: WISCONSIN || NOTRE DAME
MADISON, Wis. – The second-ranked Wisconsin men's hockey team finally returns to regular-season action after two weekends off when Notre Dame visits the Kohl Center this Friday (7 p.m.) and Saturday (5 p.m.).
The games open Big Ten play for the Badgers, who sit 4-0-0 on the season.
Here are six quick things to know before game day:
1. Turn Two – Despite going nearly three weeks between regular-season games, the Badgers climbed four spots in the national polls from No. 6 to No. 2. You have to go all the way back until April and the final poll of the 2025-26 season to find the last time the Badgers ranked No. 2. UW spent seven weeks last season at No. 2. UW's last week at No. 1 came Nov. 13, 2023.
2. 10 (Home Games) in 6 Weeks – This weekend's games at the Kohl Center open a stretch of 10 home games in six weeks. After this week's opening series against Notre Dame, the Badgers are back at home on Nov. 13-14 against Ohio State, Nov. 20-21 against Penn State, Nov. 28-29 against Canisius and Dec. 10-11 against Omaha.
Buy Tickets
Last one sounds fun 👀😉 https://t.co/mrPT4kp3ZP
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerMHockey) October 27, 2026
3. Bucky's Pucktoberfest – The second-annual Dachshund Dash opens Bucky's Pucktoberfest on Friday (approximately 6:40 p.m.). Be in your seats early to watch eight dogs sprint to the finish for the coveted trophy. Other activities include the Pepsi Stein-Holding Contest, concourse Pretzel Toss and Guess the Brat Weight contest, on-ice Stein Race, special second period Culver's Curdtoberfest Parachute Drop (if the Badgers score during the period) and Polka Cam.
The first 750 Crease Creatures in attendance on Friday get a Wisconsin Bavarian Hat. On Saturday, the first 600 Crease Creatures receive a Super Mike Hastings T-Shirt.
4. Big Ten History – This season marks the 14th for Big Ten Hockey. The Badgers begin their quest for their second regular-season title this weekend. UW captured the 2021 Big Ten regular-season crown. UW owns four top-two finishes in Conference history and finished fourth last season.
The Badgers were picked to place third this season, according to the coaches. Each of the seven teams in the league own at least one regular-season title other than Michigan.
5. Scouting the Irish – Notre Dame enters the weekend with a 2-4-0 record after falling twice last weekend to then-No. 20 Merrimack at home.
Evan Werner and Danny Nelson pace the Irish with five points each, while Werner leads the team with three goals. In goal, Nicholas Kempf sits 2-2-0 with a 2.75 goals-against average and .922 save percentage to lead the way.
Head coach Brock Sheahan is in his second year directing the program.
Wisconsin has had Notre Dame's number of late, winning all four games last season, six of the last seven and 10 of the last 12 overall.
Last season, defenseman Joe Palodichuk tallied the first and only two-goal game of his career to date in UW's 7-4 victory on Dec. 5.
6. How to watch – The best way is in person at the Kohl Center, but the games stream on B1G+ otherwise. The games also air on the Badger Radio Network, as well as on the Badgers and Varsity Network Apps. You can also follow along on X/Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's HockeyTuesday, October 20
Saturday, October 03
Friday, October 02
Wednesday, September 30
