The Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team is back in action this weekend following their bye, heading up to Minnesota where they will face off against No. 9 St. Cloud State. The Badgers are 8-0-2 in their last 10 games against the Huskies, with their last loss coming in February 2023. Wisconsin holds a 100-11-5 advantage in the all-time series.
No. 3 Wisconsin (6-2-0 overall, 2-2-0 WCHA) experienced an offensive explosion last time out, beating Minnesota State 5-1 in the opener and 12-1 in the finale.
Replicating that output would go a long way against the Huskies, who have been solid defensively and are giving up just 1.6 goals per game.
The defensive numbers for St. Cloud State (8-2-0 overall, 6-0-0 WCHA) look even better after accounting for their six games against ranked teams in the early portion of the season. They began their season with two wins over then-No. 7 UConn before sweeping then-No. 15 Minnesota State. The Huskies’ only losses came on the road against Colgate, who is currently ranked eighth in the country.
Based on their early play, St. Cloud State should present a tougher challenge for Wisconsin than in past years. They don’t rise to the level of an Ohio State or a Minnesota just yet, yet the Huskies currently sit atop the WCHA standings and did play the Badgers tight a few times last season. This is not a series where Wisconsin can sleepwalk their way to a much-needed six points if they want to keep pace with the top teams in the WCHA.
The Badgers will embark on another bye following the St. Cloud State series due to the IIHF Women’s World Championship taking place in Denmark. Rosalie Tremblay (Canada) and Adéla Šapovalivová (Czechia) will be participating for their respective national teams. Wisconsin will return to host St. Thomas and Bemidji State, which makes the two games against St. Cloud State even more pivotal as the Badgers have a runway to get right back into the mix after opening WCHA play with two losses to Ohio State.
Both games against the Huskies will have an early puck drop, beginning Friday’s game at 2:00 p.m. and starting at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Plenty of time to watch the Badgers before enjoying the Halloween festivities. You can catch both games on B1G+ and listen locally on 1070 AM.
Game Info
Game 1
Date: Friday, October 30
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Place: St. Cloud, Minn. | Herb Brook National Hockey Center
TV: B1G+ | Radio: 1070 AM
Game 2
Date: Saturday, October 31
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Place: St. Cloud, Minn. | Herb Brooks National Hockey Center
TV: B1G+ | Radio: 1070 AM
