The No. 2 Wisconsin Badgers (17-2-1 WCHA, 26-3-1 overall) head to Minnesota this weekend for an away series against the University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs (8-10-2-2, 12-13-3). The Badgers are looking to rebound in a big way following their first two conference losses last weekend to the Ohio State Buckeyes.
While the offense seemed stagnant at times against Ohio State last weekend, the defense remained dominant. Ohio State scored only four goals last weekend, one of which was an empty-netter. The Badgers’ defense has only allowed an impressive 34 goals in 30 games this season. Redshirt sophomore transfer goalie Kristen Campbell remains the national leader in many important categories, including a 1.10 goals against average, .945 save percentage, nine shutouts and a .883 win percentage.
This weekend, though, UW’s defense will face a strong offense led by freshmen forwards Naomi Rogge and Ashton Bell. Rogge has 14 goals and seven assists for 21 points, while Bell has nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points.
The Bulldogs’ goalie Jessica Convery will provide a challenge for a Badgers’ offense that scored only one goal last weekend. Convery has a .920 save percentage to go along with a 2.24 goals against average.
Wisconsin dominated in two previous games against UMD, sweeping the early December series by a combined score of 8-1.
This is Wisconsin’s final away series of the season, with a lone home series against Minnesota remaining before the WCHA playoffs begin. The Badgers look to collect at least three points from the trip to Duluth, which would give them the WCHA regular season title for the third consecutive year.
Puck drop is set for 7 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. Saturday.
