The Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team makes a trip across the Minnesota border to face the two-time defending champion Minnesota Gophers. Seventh-ranked Wisconsin (9-4-5 Western Collegiate Hockey Association, 15-7-6 overall) is chasing No. 1 North Dakota and No. 9 Minnesota-Duluth, which are both tied for first place in the WCHA and lead Wisconsin and St. Cloud State by three points.
The Badgers, who need to win both to catch up, have a tough battle ahead. The defending champions had a slow start to their season. However, the No. 5 Golden Gophers (9-8-1 WCHA, 14-9-3 overall) have climbed the standings and are now more confident than when the Badgers hosted the Gophers early this season.
The last time UW faced the Gophers was during Wisconsin's school-record 15-game unbeaten streak. During that, the Badgers pulled out a victory and a tie against Minnesota.
Since their unbeaten streak, the Badgers are 3-3-2. Over break, three players and Head Coach Mike Eaves took a break from Badger hockey to travel to Finland, where they competed in the World Junior Championships. Freshman forward Jake Dowell said the team could be a step off since four members won gold in Finland.
\It might have taken something away,"" Dowell said.
