The top-ranked Wisconsin Badgers return to the ice for the first time in over a month when they travel to take on No. 8 Minnesota Duluth in the first series of 2026. Wisconsin swept Duluth earlier this season, winning the first game thanks to some late heroics from Caroline Harvey and Cassie Hall.
The last time we saw No. 1 Wisconsin (18-1-1, 12-1-1 WCHA), they were busy putting a beating on No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus. After a tight win in game one, the Badgers ran away with a 6-1 win in game two,
sending themselves into the break on a high note.
There were a few Badgers who kept busy over the break, as Lacey Eden, Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey, Ava McNaughton, and Kirsten Simms suited up for the final two games of Team USA’s Rivalry Series against Team Canada. Edwards, Harvey, and Simms all scored on the trip to Edmonton, part of Team USA’s four-game sweep of Team Canada, outscoring our neighbors to the north 24-7 in the Rivalry Series.
Congratulations are also in order for Edwards, Harvey, McNaughton, and Simms, who were officially named to the 2026 Olympic roster, joining former Badgers Britta Curl-Salemme and Hilary Knight. Freshman center Adéla Šapovalivová also earned her way onto the Czechia’s Olympic squad, and will see her teammates in a preliminary game on February 5.
The bad news for Minnesota Duluth (12-8, 8-6 WCHA) is that the Wisconsin Olympians are still stateside for a few more weeks, meaning the Bulldogs will see a healthy, well-rested Badger team.
A long layoff can have adverse effects, and Duluth’s grind-it-out style has made life difficult on Wisconsin in recent years. The Badgers will need to shake off the rust quickly. Otherwise, goaltender Ève Gascon—a possible Team Canada Olympian in her own right—can make it a long night for the Wisconsin offense.
We should be due for an inspired performance by the Badgers. Although the series was a month ago, two big wins over Ohio State provide the type of feel-good momentum that lasts through a winter break. Wisconsin’s next two series are against St. Thomas and Bemidji State, meaning this could be the last ranked series with a full squad until the postseason.
Team USA has not announced a departure date for Italy, but it’s likely they will leave ahead of the Minnesota series at the end of January, leaving the remaining Badgers to play four currently-ranked teams to close the season.
We’ll worry about those logistics later, but for now, it’s time for the unanimous top team to get back on the horse and continue building on their impressive season.
Game Info
Date: January 9-10
Time: Friday – 3:02 p.m. | Saturday – 2:02 p.m.
Place: Duluth, MN | AMSOIL Arena
TV: B1G+ | Radio: 1070 The Game
