Despite being only four years old, LaBahn Arena has established itself as one of the best home-ice advantages in women's college hockey. The top-ranked Badgers will use that additional edge as they open their home slate against Ohio State.

 "It's definitely really exciting coming back and playing in the LaBahn," senior alternate captain Jenny Ryan said. "With it being our first home series of the year, we are expecting big crowds and a lot of excitement."

Since the 2012-13 season, the Badgers own a 64-10-3 record in their 2,273-seat barn, good for a .851 winning percentage. Wisconsin has blanked its opponents in 32 of its 77 games at the four-year-old rink and has outscored its opponents 282-74.

Last season was one for the record books, as Wisconsin built a 21-0-0 record at LaBahn Arena, including a sweep of rival Minnesota, a WCHA regular-season title-clinching win over Minnesota State, and a victory against Mercyhurst in the NCAA quarterfinals that lifted UW to its third-straight NCAA Frozen Four.

LaBahn Arena's most impressive feature has been the Badgers' crowds. UW earned 12 sellouts last season, a program record. Wisconsin averaged 2,019 fans, marking the fifth time in program history UW has averaged more than 2,000 fans per game during a season.

"There is nothing like playing at LaBahn," junior Emily Clark said. "When we come out onto the ice before the puck drops, the crowd gives us an energy like none other and it helps us throughout the whole game.
"Everyone is looking forward to being able to play in front of the best fans in the country again and I'm excited for the freshmen to be able to experience it for the first time."

Seven freshmen will make their home debuts this weekend as the program expects great crowds to welcome the top-ranked Badgers back in Madison.

"I know the fans here are really excited for this season to start," freshman Abby Roque said. "It's a little nerve-wracking having that many people watch you play hockey, but I'm really excited to play."

The Badgers expect even more people on Jan. 14, 2017, when they host the fifth-ever "Fill the Bowl" game at the Kohl Center against St. Cloud State. Wisconsin looks to break its NCAA single-game attendance record of 13,573 set in the 2014 contest against Minnesota.

"My last 'Fill the Bowl' experience was one I will never forget," Ryan added. "It is amazing to see how much support we can get for such a great cause and it's obviously extremely fun playing in front of such a big crowd.

"As a senior I'm really glad I am able to play in another 'Fill the Bowl' and add this to the list of things I will never forget during my time here at Wisconsin."