No. 14 Wisconsin (9-6-2 overall, 3-3-1 B1G) vs No. 7 Minnesota (9-6-1 overall, 3-4-1-1 B1G)
Date: Friday, Dec. 1, 2017
Location: 3M Arena at Mariucci | Minneapolis, Minn.
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. CT
TV: FOX Sports North PLUS
Stream: BTN2Go | FOX Sports Go | TSNGO
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online
Date: Saturday, Dec. 2, 2017
Location: 3M Arena at Mariucci | Minneapolis, Minn.
Puck Drop: 7:05 p.m. CT
TV: FOX Sports North PLUS
Stream: BTN2Go | FOX Sports Go | TSNGO
Radio: 1130 KTLK AM | 103.5 FM | Listen Online
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
After getting swept by Notre Dame, the Gophers are back on home ice where they’re 7-1-0 on the season.
Minnesota welcomes the Badgers to Mariucci this weekend. The all-time series is not even close. It currently stands at 166-92-23 all time. Wisconsin could win three out of every four meetings every year and it’d take 37 years to even the series.
The Badgers were winless in their first 24 games against the Gophers. They’re record against Minnesota over that time? 0-21-3. What a time to be alive.
To give the Badgers credit, they’re rebuilding efforts have been going well. They have a ton of talented recruits and are making progress from their low point 4-26-5 record during the 2014-15 season.
Wisconsin has had balanced scoring early in the year. They have a total of eight players with double digit points ranging from 11-14 to lead the team.
Though his numbers aren’t as dynamic this year, the player to keep an eye on is first round NHL draft pick, Trent Frederic. The 6-foot-3 sophomore was a surprise pick in 2016, but excelled last season posting 15 goals and 33 points in 30 games.
The Badgers also have a former Minnesota commit on their roster. After a couple subpar seasons in the USHL, Wisconsin native Tarek Baker never signed with the Gophers. Now, the 20-year-old is off to a strong start in his freshman season with six goals and 11 points.
STORYLINE CENTRAL
Despite peppering Notre Dame with shots last weekend, the Gophers couldn’t muster much on the scoreboard. Nate Wells of The Athletic ($) has a recap of last week’s disappointing weekend in South Bend.
Todd Milewski of the Madison State Journal has a quick notebook highlighting Minnesota native Matthew Freytag’s ability to create shots.
Milewski also profiles Trent Frederic’s less-than-stellar start to the season. The sophomore has been solid, but is looking for a breakout weekend to jump start his year.
Here’s highlights from an all-time game against the Badgers when Minnesota topped Wisconsin in 2012 to win the WCHA Championship. Anyone at the arena that night knows that the Rauser after the Schmidt goal was unforgettable.
QUOTES
Don Lucia
On Wisconsin:
“They’re a better team. They’re a deeper team, offensively. I think that’s the one thing; my take away. They got the goaltender transfer from St. Lawrence, who was an All-American. So that should help solidify that position for them, then. Up front, they have three lines that can score and I don’t think they had that last year. They don’t do it with any one guy, they do it with depth. We think we’re made up that way a little bit as well.
“We want to continue to do a good job defensively. We’ve done a good job at home not giving up much. Not giving up many shots or goals against. As you move forward, as much as you want to continue to create offense, it’s how you defend and how many goals you give up are ultimately going to tell the tale.”
Rem Pitlick
“It’s obviously going to be a fun weekend. We know they are a good, deep team. Better than what we’ve seen in the past so we’re ready for a battle. It’s going to be a fun one.”
Jack Ramsey
On Wisconsin:
“Talented forward group; good goalie. I know they got a talented transfer in from last year. It’s going to be a battle. You’ll see the same thing out of them. It’s going to be a grind; you got the Maroon team and Red team going at it.”