Following a 54-day hiatus from the Kohl Center, the No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers menS hockey team returns home this weekend for a two-game series against the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves. The series, set for Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, marks a crucial chance for the Badgers to build momentum as they navigate the second half of the season and defend their home ice. In addition to the on-ice action, Friday’s game will include a “Chuck-A-Puck” event benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County.
MADISON, Wis. – The No. 3 Wisconsin Badgers men’s hockey team returns to the Kohl Center ice this weekend to host the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves in a two-game series on Friday, January 9, and Saturday, January 10. This marks the Badgers’ first home games in over a month, offering a crucial opportunity to build momentum as the season progresses.
Friday’s game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. CT puck drop, while Saturday’s contest will begin at 5 p.m. CT. Both games will be streamed live on B1G+.
Here’s a look at what fans need to know before tuning in:
After a 54-day stretch away from the Kohl Center, the Badgers are eager to play in front of their home crowd again. Their last game at home was a thrilling 6-5 overtime victory against Ohio State on November 15.
Friday’s game will feature a “Chuck-A-Puck” event presented by BMO. Fans who donate new or gently used recess equipment for the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County will receive pucks to throw onto the ice after the game for a chance to win Badger hockey-themed prizes, including a jersey, signed sticks, and even 2026-27 season tickets. Suggested donations include footballs, basketballs, jump ropes, and other sports equipment. More details about the event can be found here.
FINALLLY!!!
Back at the Kohl Center this Friday after 54 days away.
Donate new/gently used recess equipment to take part in our first @BMO_US Chuck-A-Puck to benefit Boys and Girls Club of Dane County.
Prizes include ’26-27 season tickets.
This weekend kicks off a three-game homestand for Wisconsin. They will then welcome Michigan State on Thursday and Friday, January 15-16, followed by Penn State on Friday and Saturday, January 23-24. The January 16th game is designated as Youth Night, and on January 24th, the Badgers will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their 2006 national championship, with students receiving a commemorative jersey replica t-shirt. Tickets for upcoming games are available now.
Hard to believe 20 years have passed since Robbie Earl, Joe Pavelski, Adam Burish and company won the NCAA title.
We’re celebrating them all on Jan. 24 at the Kohl Center pic.twitter.com/DFitTWV8Z2
“We had a decent first half at home, wasn’t unbelievable, and I think we can build on that,” Head Coach Mike Hastings said. “We’ve got our first opportunity on Friday. It is something we talked about, if you want to have the opportunity to play in your own building at the end of the year, you’d better protect your home ice, and that starts on Friday.”
Wisconsin’s Defensemen Contributing Offensively: The Badgers’ defensemen have stepped up their offensive game this season, scoring two of the team’s three goals against Lake Superior State on December 28.
Sophomore defenseman Weston Knox netted his first career goal in the first period of that game, opening the scoring for Wisconsin in his 14th career appearance.
KNOX, KNOX, WHO’S THERE? 🚪
First NCAA goal for the sophomore!
Senior defenseman and captain Ben Dexheimer added a power-play goal in the second period to tie the game at two. It was his career-best second power-play goal of the season. Through 18 games, Dexheimer has 15 points, tying him for third on the team in scoring, with 11 assists placing him second among Badgers players. He currently shares the Big Ten lead among defensemen in overall points with 15.
The Dex Factor 😤
A power play goal for the senior (@BenDexheimer)
The goals from Knox and Dexheimer bring Wisconsin’s total to 15 goals scored by defensemen in 18 games this year – a significant increase from the nine goals scored by Badger blue liners during the entire 2024-25 season.
Multitalented defensemen 🤩
In 16 games this year, UW blueliners have 13 goals, compared to nine total tallies by defensemen in 2024-25. Dexheimer, Hensler and Palodichuk lead the way with three goals each.
Check out some of our favorite goals by Badger D-men so far 👇 pic.twitter.com/4xQZrpEE4W
Junior defenseman Joe Palodichuk led the Big Ten in defenseman scoring during December with five points, including a two-goal performance against Notre Dame on December 5.
JOE’S ON HATTY WATCH 👀
Second goal of the night and third of the year for the junior!
Key Players Return: Wisconsin welcomes junior forward Quinn Finley, sophomore defenseman Logan Hensler, and freshman Luke Osburn back to the lineup after their participation in international competition.
Finley competed at the Spengler Cup in Davos, Switzerland, where the U.S. Collegiate Selects finished second in their inaugural tournament run against professional teams, finishing with five points.
New mail alert 📩
Congrats to Quinn Finley on an incredible run at the Spengler Cup! We’re so proud of all that you’ve accomplished. pic.twitter.com/wwECT0ajkP
“The experience that Quinn has shared was phenomenal,” said Hastings. “It was a beautiful place. They really ended up being embraced by that community because of the way that they played. They were entertaining, and competitive, and had an opportunity to play for a championship. That’s all you can ask there.”
Hensler and Osburn skated for Team USA at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships in Minnesota, where the United States was eliminated in the quarterfinals in a 4-3 overtime loss to Finland.
On NHL Network right now.
Like our guys are doing, catch Logan Hensler and Luke Osburn with Team USA in the World Juniors Quarterfinals vs. Finland. Winner makes medal round. pic.twitter.com/UHKsWCRDj3
“We’re really impressed by the coaching staff, the other players that they were able to play with; they just feel they came up a little bit short,” said Hastings about Hensler and Osburn’s World Juniors experience. “They’ve come back; they were a little tired because you play an awful lot of games in a short period of time. But they’ve come back and really energized our group. They’re in the locker room, they’re back with their Badger family, and we’re all excited about having those guys back.”
Recent Results: The Badgers concluded 2025 with a split at the Kwik Trip Holiday Face-Off in Milwaukee. They defeated Lake Superior State 3-2 in the semifinals on December 28, before falling to No. 7 Western Michigan 4-1 in the championship game on December 29.
BRINKER BEAUTY 🤩
Third goal of the year for the freshman!
Scouting the Seawolves: Alaska Anchorage enters the series with a 3-13-0 record. They recently competed in the Arizona State Desert Classic, losing 7-2 to Arizona State on January 2 and 5-0 to Michigan Tech on January 3. UAA does have a win over No. 7 Denver earlier this season.
Junior forward Karter McNarland leads the Seawolves with nine points (one goal, eight assists) in 16 games, while freshman forward Tye Spencer is the team’s leading goal scorer with five in 15 games. Sophomore goaltender Tyler Krivtsov has three wins in 10 starts, posting a .908 save percentage and a 3.60 goals-allowed average.
“For us, we have to defend our home ice,” said Hastings. “Right now, this week is focused on us getting back to being able to play the style that we want to play. That’s connected, that’s disciplined, and trying to get back to possessing more pucks than we had toward the back end of the first half.”
How to Watch: Puck drop on Friday is set for 7 p.m. CT, with Saturday’s game beginning at 5 p.m. CT. Both games will be streamed on B1G+. Audio coverage will be available on 1310 WIBA on Friday and 1070 The Game on Saturday, as well as on the Badgers app and the Varsity Network app. Fans can also follow live updates on X/Twitter and Instagram at @BadgerMHockey.
