The Women’s hockey schedule is underway, and Badgers hockey has come out strong after being ranked No. 1 in the preseason rankings. They took care of Lindenwood in two games to open the season, one with a 16-1 drubbing that broke records along the way.
Week 2 @USCHO Women’s Ice Hockey Rankings 🏒#NCAAHockey pic.twitter.com/D5gYNO2St8
— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) October 2, 2023
Badgers Hockey Gains Votes
The Women’s team began the year with 15 first-place votes and 293 points in the preseason rankings by USCHO. They gained five votes to move to 20 first-place votes and added 7 points to get to 300. Badgers hockey is fresh off a National Championship and will be looking at a repeat this year. If Cassie Hall, Lacey Eden, and Sophie Helgeson can continue their current onslaught that puts them 1st, tied for 2nd, and tied for 4th, respectively, in goals per game, the Badgers will be in good shape.
Other WCHA Teams in the Top 15
While the Badgers enjoy a pretty sizeable margin between them and the next ranked team in the WCHA, you don’t have to go far down the list to find them. Ohio State landed at No. 2 after going 1-1-0 to open the season, keeping their slot and holding down 269 points. Minnesota Golden Gophers find themselves at No. 4 with 248 points, falling from No. 3 but haven’t played a game as of yet. Minnesota Duluth rolls in at No. 6, up one from No. 7 in the preseason polling. St. Cloud State rounds out the WCHA in the Top 15, coming in at No. 12 with their own 2-0-0 record and 67 points.
This week, Badgers hockey is hosting Boston College on Thursday and Friday. Boston College opened the season dropping both games to No. 9 Clarkson.
