Badgers Skate to Top Ten After Border Blowout
Wisconsin men’s hockey has flipped the script after a disappointing 2024–25. The Badgers exploded out of the gate this season, going unbeaten in eight games and sweeping rival Minnesota at the Kohl Center for the first time since 2014. Quinn Finley netted two goals in a 4–0 victory, while goaltender Daniel Hauser recorded a shutout—also a first against the Gophers in Madison since 1983. Their hot start has propelled Wisconsin back into the national top ten, and now they face a daunting road trip to Ann Arbor to take on No. 2 Michigan, followed by tests against Ohio State and top-ranked Michigan State.
Stop the presses—Wisconsin men’s hockey is relevant again! After last season’s soul-crushing performances, the Badgers have finally remembered how to put skates on. Quinn Finley’s sudden knack for scoring must’ve involved a quick magic lesson over the summer, because who saw that coming? And let’s not forget Daniel Hauser, who apparently decided “22 saves” was his fun number for the night. Now they’re top ten—an accomplishment rivaled only by finding a matching pair of gloves in the laundry. Next up: Michigan. Good luck trying to sweep the Wolverines—unless you’ve stocked up on miracle energy drinks and rink-side four-leaf clovers.
Ex-Champ Coach Predicts Badgers’ March Madness Run
National champion coach John Andrzejek, now leading Campbell, watched Wisconsin’s season opener and believes the Badgers have serious NCAA Tournament potential. Despite defensive lapses and inconsistent offense, standout guard John Blackwell scored 31 points, Nolan Winter logged a 17-and-12 double-double, and Nick Boyd proved his downhill prowess. Andrzejek praised Wisconsin’s shooting, skill and team unity, citing their ability to clamp down defensively and finish with a 31-4 run in the final ten minutes. He even highlighted a player’s mid-game reminder to “take care of the ball,” calling it a sign of strong culture and mental toughness.
Here comes the old-school coach, fresh off hoisting a national title, to hand out participation trophies—er, compliments—to the Badgers. Yes, Wisconsin did flip a switch down the stretch, but let’s be honest: they also spent half the game looking like they’d never seen a basketball before. John Blackwell’s 31 points? Impressive, but let’s see him do it when the zone defense actually shows up. And that one player coaching his teammates on turnovers—adorable. Nothing says “championship contender” like literally telling your buddies not to dribble it off their shoe. Still, hat tip to Greg Gard for riding the inconsistency wave and selling the dream of March magic.
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