Friday, October 9
Mankato, MN
7 p.m.
Wisconsin Badgers
at
#19 Minnesota State
Photo by: Dan Sanger
Quick six: No. 6 Badgers hit the road to Minnesota State
October 08, 2026 | Men's Hockey
Hastings returns to Mankato for NCAA hockey for first time in four years
MADISON, Wis. — The No. 7 Badgers are making their way over to No. 19 Minnesota State for the first time since 2013 for games on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 9-10.
Friday's game will begin at 7 p.m. and Saturday's at 6 p.m.
Here are six quick things to know before game day:
Game Notes
Roster: Badgers || Mavericks
1. Hasting returns: Mike Hastings makes his first return to Minnesota State since taking over the Wisconsin men's hockey program for the 2023-24 season.
Hastings spent 11 seasons leading the Mavericks program, winning three Spencer Penrose Awards for national coach of the year and leading MSU to a pair of NCAA Frozen Fours including the program's first-ever National Championship game appearance in 2022. Minnesota State also won the Mason Cup twice as CCHA tourney champions (2022, 2023) and a pair of Broadmoor Trophies as the WCHA tournament winners (2014, 2015) under Hastings direction. The Mavericks went 299-109-25 during his 11 years leading the program for a .719 win percentage.
Associate head coach Todd Knott, as well as strength coach Tommy Inkrott and director of hockey operations Luke Regner also return to Mankato for the first time since accompanying Hastings to Madison.
2. Opening week star Osburn: Luke Osburn started the Badgers off netting the first goal of the season. Osburn recorded a two-point performance with 10 shots over the opening weekend.
This is Osburn's second Big Ten award of his career after earning Big Ten Second Star of the Week for Feb. 10 and his Notre Dame series performance of two goals and four points. Osburn was named preseason All-Big Ten First-Team.
3. Brick Hause: The Badgers split the weekend in the net, with Alexis Cournoyer making his first Wisconsin start during game one. Cournoyer blocked 16 shots for a 4-2 win.
On day two, Daniel Hauser entered the crease recording his second straight shutout in his season-opening game, by stopping 18 shots on goal from the Colonials.
4. It's been awhile: The Badgers return to Mankato for the first time since the 2012-13 season. The Jan. 11-12 games resulted in two overtime wins all with the help of John Ramage who notched both game winners.
The two teams played each other at the Kohl Center last year ending their 13-year drought. Both games ended in ties, however, Wisconsin secured both shootout wins thanks to Bruno Idžan and Blake Montgomery.
5. Scouting the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week coming off a 3-1 win against the University of Manitoba in an exhibition matchup. Wisconsin will serve as the Mavericks first game of the regular season.
Led by Jakob Stender, who notched a goal in the opening exhibition, the senior captain played in all 40 games and recorded four goals and five assists for nine points during the 2025-26 season.
6. How to watch: Stream the game on MIDCO Sports Plus or listen on the radio on the Badger Radio Network. You can also follow along on X/Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey.
Friday's game will begin at 7 p.m. and Saturday's at 6 p.m.
Here are six quick things to know before game day:
Game Notes
Roster: Badgers || Mavericks
1. Hasting returns: Mike Hastings makes his first return to Minnesota State since taking over the Wisconsin men's hockey program for the 2023-24 season.
Hastings spent 11 seasons leading the Mavericks program, winning three Spencer Penrose Awards for national coach of the year and leading MSU to a pair of NCAA Frozen Fours including the program's first-ever National Championship game appearance in 2022. Minnesota State also won the Mason Cup twice as CCHA tourney champions (2022, 2023) and a pair of Broadmoor Trophies as the WCHA tournament winners (2014, 2015) under Hastings direction. The Mavericks went 299-109-25 during his 11 years leading the program for a .719 win percentage.
Associate head coach Todd Knott, as well as strength coach Tommy Inkrott and director of hockey operations Luke Regner also return to Mankato for the first time since accompanying Hastings to Madison.
2. Opening week star Osburn: Luke Osburn started the Badgers off netting the first goal of the season. Osburn recorded a two-point performance with 10 shots over the opening weekend.
This is Osburn's second Big Ten award of his career after earning Big Ten Second Star of the Week for Feb. 10 and his Notre Dame series performance of two goals and four points. Osburn was named preseason All-Big Ten First-Team.
3. Brick Hause: The Badgers split the weekend in the net, with Alexis Cournoyer making his first Wisconsin start during game one. Cournoyer blocked 16 shots for a 4-2 win.
On day two, Daniel Hauser entered the crease recording his second straight shutout in his season-opening game, by stopping 18 shots on goal from the Colonials.
4. It's been awhile: The Badgers return to Mankato for the first time since the 2012-13 season. The Jan. 11-12 games resulted in two overtime wins all with the help of John Ramage who notched both game winners.
The two teams played each other at the Kohl Center last year ending their 13-year drought. Both games ended in ties, however, Wisconsin secured both shootout wins thanks to Bruno Idžan and Blake Montgomery.
5. Scouting the Mavericks: Minnesota State enters the week coming off a 3-1 win against the University of Manitoba in an exhibition matchup. Wisconsin will serve as the Mavericks first game of the regular season.
Led by Jakob Stender, who notched a goal in the opening exhibition, the senior captain played in all 40 games and recorded four goals and five assists for nine points during the 2025-26 season.
6. How to watch: Stream the game on MIDCO Sports Plus or listen on the radio on the Badger Radio Network. You can also follow along on X/Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey.
Players Mentioned
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