The Wisconsin Badger men’s hockey team opens play in the NCAA
Joel Rumpel
tournament tonight. The 4th ranked Badgers are the number-1 seed in the Midwest Regional and will face 13th ranked North Dakota in the semifinals in Cincinnati.
The other regional semifinal features Ferris State (28-10-3) against Colgate (20-13-5). The winners will square off on Saturday for a lot in the Frozen Four, April 10-12 in Philadelphia.
The Badgers enter tonight’s game winning 8 of their last 9 games.
For Mike Eaves, this is his fifth NCAA Tournament as head coach of the Badgers. The Badgers won the Frozen Four title in 2006 (Milwaukee) and captured a runner-up finish in 2010.
AUDIO: F Mark Zengerle says they’re ready for North Dakota :15
Wisconsin is hoping to get off to a good start. The Badgers have posted a 18-4-1 record when scoring first. They’re also 12-4 in games decided by one goal.
AUDIO: Mark Zengerle on the Badgers 12-4 record in 1-goal games :18
The Badgers are led in-goal by Hobey Baker Award candidate Joel Rumpel. Rumpel is 21-5-1 on the season, earning 19 wins since December 1. He ranks second in the nation with a .796 winning percentage.