After spending one week at No. 2 in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll, the Badgers returned to No. 1 after then-top-ranked Minnesota-Duluth was swept by Minnesota last weekend. The Golden Gophers come to Madison this weekend ranked sixth overall.
The latest renewal of the rivalry hits close to home for some of the Badgers who hail from Minnesota, such as junior forward Angie Keseley, a native of Minneapolis suburb St. Louis Park.
It's fun for me. I know a lot of girls on the team so it's always an exciting weekend,"" she said.
Freshman defenseman Malee Windmeier is another Minneapolis area transplant who looks forward to the rivalry.
""It's pretty big. I know a lot of the girls on the team. It's going to be a good competition,"" she said.
Head coach Mark Johnson acknowledges that while players certainly think about the rivalry, it does not affect the way he prepares his team for the series. He is more concerned about the fact that the Golden Gophers are a potent threat.
""I think the kids certainly get up for this type of game just because its one of our rivals. It's a team that's got good players and so you have to be on top of your game to have a chance to win,"" he said.
""We have to come out ready to play no matter who we're playing,"" Windmeier said.
With Minnesota sweeping Duluth, Wisconsin will have its hands full as the schedule takes a turn for the toughest of NCAA play. The Badgers face the Gophers this week, then travel to New Hampshire after a bye week to face the No. 2 Wildcats. Two weeks later, Wisconsin hosts fourth-ranked Duluth.
""Hopefully we'll just come out and play well. That's what I'm more concerned about is how we're playing, how we can put together 60 minutes,"" Johnson said.
Matthews garners honor
A goal and three assists in this past series against Minnesota State netted junior defenseman Alycia Matthews her first career award, receiving the title of the WCHA's Defensive Player of the Week.
""I was more upset about doing a camera interview,"" Matthews said jokingly about doing a television interview as a result of her award. She later admitted that she was ""ecstatic"" when she found out about her accomplishment.
""It's awesome. I thought I played well but to get an honor like that ... that's unreal,"" she said.
With the departure of Bobbi-Jo Slusar and Meaghan Mikkelson from the defense, Matthews has had to take more of an offensive role and has seen significant time on the power play, giving her more scoring chances than she has seen in her first two seasons at Wisconsin.
""I'm healthy this season and I'm an upperclassman so coaches are looking for a new role,"" she said.
""I'm excited for Alycia,"" Johnson said. ""[Her statistics] are a little bit different than they have been in years past and that's due to her playing well and her getting more responsibility and taking advantage of it.""
Matthews' nine points equal her career high which she set in 2005-'06 and put her at second in the nation in points scored by a defenseman. The three goals she has scored in her career have all been game-winners.
""They just happen to be that way. I like to play under pressure,"" she said about her clutch play.
Windmeier is Matthews' defensive linemate. She gives Matthews credit with helping her adjust as a freshman.
""She's amazing to play with. She's been a lot of help [with me] coming in as a freshman. She's answered a lot of questions,"" Windmeier said.
Wisconsin will look toward Matthews for more contributions when it plays Minnesota Friday and Saturday at 2 p.m.
