#6 UMD Leaning Into Home Ice Advantage Ahead of WCHA Semifinal Matchup Against #1 Wisconsin

Friday's matchup will be the first meeting between the two squads in the postseason since the 2020 WCHA final face-off semifinals.

DULUTH, Minn.- For the first time since 2012, Amsoil Arena will host the best of the best in the WCHA as the Final Face-off makes it’s return.

The UMD women’s hockey secured one of the final four spots last week when they swept St. Cloud State in the opening round.

Now, all eyes are on the top ranked Wisconsin Badgers, who have taken all four regular season meetings against the Dogs.

Head Coach Laura Schuler said she came away pleased with their last series against Wisconsin, which were two contests that came down to one goal.

“Well they’re so quick and they get on you fast so your time in space is not as much as you think that you have sometimes. So it’s that much more important to be able to put a puck to net and beat your check and put rebounds home. We have to be willing to play that griddy game. you know at the same time, I’m really excited with where our team’s at. I think we’re playing really good defensive hockey. The last time we played them too we did a really good job of keeping pucks to the outside and the opportunities that they got,” said Schuler.

As for the players, they say they’re enjoying the home ice advantage so far.

“It’s so good to be at home. We love our facilities. We love being in our home locker room. We get our home bench. So I feel like that visualization, similar to what Caitlin was saying, you can’t understate that. Like we practice our power play out there every single day and there’s something to be said just kind of being able to visualize it and having confidence in those moments from the repetition,” said Clara Van Wieren.

Friday’s matchup will be the first meeting between the two squads in the postseason since the 2020 WCHA final face-off semifinals.

Puck drop is at 1 PM.