Happy Thursday Badger Fans!
 
The moment we have all been waiting for is finally here: game week. 
 
Upon the return of Emily Clark, Sarah Nurse, and Ann-Renee Desbiens, from Hockey Canada's Fall Festival, the Badgers finally practiced as a complete team this Tuesday. 
 
If there is one thing that's stood out prominently in practices and throughout the locker room, it's the energy of each of the girls. We're focused in on the task at hand, eager to hit the ice to open the season. 
 
Captain Sydney McKibbon, shared her thoughts on this week's preparation for St. Cloud. 
 
"I think that the team is looking great this year!" she noted. "We have tons of speed and skill, so I'm excited to see how we look in a real game on Friday night!" 
 
It can certainly be decided that the most excited player, however, is Maddie Rolfes. Due to an injury Maddie missed 30 games last season, and she has been working hard to reach top shape for her return. As the junior recently posted in an Instagram, it has been 310 days since she's played with the girls and is happy to be back. 
 
"I couldn't be more excited," she told me in person. "I have felt like a little kid on Christmas Eve every night this week leading up to our first games. I love this group of girls and have missed playing with them so much!" 
 
We can't wait to have to back on the blue line #13!  
 
Freshly cut sticks that await to be taped, new jerseys to be worn, pregame rituals to yet to begin again--these merely scratch the surface of what we anxiously anticipate. There is truly nothing that compares to the feeling of seeing the Cardinal and White jersey in our stalls, knowing the day we've all been working countless hours for is finally here. 
 
The top-ranked Badgers will take on the St. Cloud Huskies this Friday at 6:07 p.m. and Saturday at 3:07 p.m. at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. We hope to see you there. If you can't make it, we hope you are following us online via Twitter (@BadgerWHockey)! Thanks for your endless support as always. 
 
On Wisconsin! 
 
    -Baylee