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Women’s Hockey: Wisconsin Badgers ready to begin WCHA Tournament

By Trevor Jossart

Feb 21, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger entertains the fans during the game with the Illinois Fighting Illini at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Illinois 69-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2016; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers mascot Bucky Badger entertains the fans during the game with the Illinois Fighting Illini at the Kohl Center. Wisconsin defeated Illinois 69-60. Mandatory Credit: Mary Langenfeld-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team will begin the WCHA Tournament this weekend.

After earning the No. 1 seed in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) playoffs, the Wisconsin Badgers will kick off tournament action this weekend at home.

The Badgers will begin a best-of-three series in Madison vs. the No. 8 seeded Minnesota State-Mankato Mavericks. Wisconsin won all four contests between the two this year, outscoring the Mavericks by a combined 17-2 margin.

Despite going winless in three of their last four games to end the year, the Badgers (27-2-4) secured their first regular season WCHA title since the 2011-12 season, breaking Minnesota’s streak since then. Minnesota has also won four out the last five national championships, while the WCHA has provided the national champion in 15 of the last 16 seasons.

WCHA Bracket (Best of three)

  • (8) Minnesota State at (1) Wisconsin
  • (5) Ohio State at (4) North Dakota
  • (6) Saint Cloud State at (3) Minnesota-Duluth
  • (7) Bemidji State at (2) Minnesota

Action will begin on Thursday will St. Cloud visiting Duluth, while all other matchups will begin Friday and run until Sunday if necessary.

The WCHA currently has three teams ranked in the top five nationally, with the Badgers holding the number one spot. Despite taking third in conference, Minnesota-Duluth comes in ranked second, while the Gophers hold the number four ranking. Clarkson (3) and St. Lawrence (5) round out the top five.

Wisconsin will be looking at their third straight WCHA Tournament title, and are in prime position to do so this year with the one seed, but the team is not taking anything for granted.

“We’re back at the starting line,” Badgers’ head coach Mark Johnson per the athletic department. “Everybody’s got no wins, no losses, no ties. Two week tournament, another opportunity to play for a championship within our playoff structure, so looking forward to the preparation as we get ready for Friday night’s game against Minnesota State.”

https://twitter.com/UWBadgers/status/834782873236299776

The WCHA Tournament will run over the next three weekends, with the title series coming March 4-5. You can find out more information about the event here.