The Wisconsin Badgers earned a fifth WCHA playoff title and an eighth appearance in the NCAA tournament in the 2014-15 season, despite a ton of turnover and lots of “getting to know you” moments.
Next season won’t be even close to that scenario, so the Badgers will look to build off the positives of an unexpected championship season.
On Monday, the Badgers announced their 2015-16 women’s hockey schedule in full.
The #Badgers announced their 2015-16 schedule, which starts off with a trip to California! http://t.co/RUxL4p6CZ4 pic.twitter.com/FpqE3VS6zf
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) May 4, 2015
“As we saw this past season, the WCHA is challenging,” UW head coach Mark Johnson said. “Next year will be no different. The only differences next year will be the three new coaches at Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State and Ohio State. With change, good things happen so it will be an exciting year for women’s hockey in the WCHA.”
Interestingly, the traditional starting series against Lindenwood won’t be in affect. The Badgers will instead take a trip to San Jose, Calif. to take on the Providence Friars. Wisconsin isn’t a stranger to opening play in California, having previously opened the season in the state with a series against Northeastern during the 2004-05 season.
Wisconsin and Providence haven’t met since a Nov. 28, 2009 clash that saw UW dispatch of the Friars 4-1 in Providence, Rhode Island.
A visit from Ohio State will open up Kohl Center play the very next weekend. It also means the Badgers will swing right in to WCHA play as well.
Highlighting the schedule will be visits from Minnesota (4-6) and a trip to fellow rival North Dakota the very next weekend. It could be the most telling two weekends of the season for Wisconsin’s hopes for a WCHA regular season crown.
All exact dates and times will be set in the coming months. Stay tuned to @MTBadgers and the site for updates on those dates and times for individual games.
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