So it's another weekend at the good 'ole UW and you're asking yourself 'What the heck am I going to do?' The football team is at OSU disposing of the Buckeyes again and you are probably right in the thick of midterms. Looks like you're going to have a fun-filled weekend of studying ahead of you.
Well, might I suggest a more appealing option? While you're putting away the two-story beer bong (don't worry, the next home game is in two weeks) and closing the books, put on your winter's best cardinal and white and head over to the Kohl Center. It's hockey season.
To those dedicated fans that suffered outside the Kohl Center without any blankets (bless your hearts), I'm not talking about the hockey season you waited weeks to get your seat for; that kicks off next weekend. I'm speaking of the women's hockey team that starts its season this weekend and guess what? They're pretty damn good.
Now I will be honest, I need to practice what I preach, because I have never been to a women's hockey game. That's OK though, because I'm sure it is news to some of you that we even have a women's team. The program has only been skating around officially for five years, but after the 25-win season last year and entering this weekend with a No. 3 ranking, it seems like these ladies are doing something right.
Unfortunately though, not many people have been a part of the team's success. Last season in its run for the Frozen Four, crowds were averaging 1,060 total people in the Kohl Center venue that seats 17,152. You can probably imagine how small the \student section"" was.
As a broke college student, you're probably now thinking, 'There's no way I can afford to watch such high caliber hockey.' Well for two easy payments of two dollars, you can see three action-packed periods of hockey not only on Friday night but Saturday too! If this isn't enough to get your butt in a seat, maybe a 2004-'05 schedule magnet will. Now you can plan the rest of your winter around the home games.
What is it going to take to get people at the games? The team has 17 returning letterwinners, which means last year's success is likely to happen again. Guys, it's a cheap date, so take your girl to a romantic hockey game. I might add recent Hockey Hall of Fame inductee and member of the miraculous 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, Mark Johnson, is the head coach. Not to take anything away from the players, but Johnson is a legend and that in itself should make you want to go.
So here's the plan for the weekend: If you feel the need, study for a few hours after class, grab a bite to eat and then head over to the Kohl Center at 7:05 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. After the Badgers sweep Wayne State (who?) you will even have plenty of time to celebrate the victories.
Betsy is a sophomore planning to major in journalism. She can be reached for comment at eagolomski@wisc.edu.
