Hello Badger Fans!
 
It is that time of the year again…
 
Border Battle Weekend.
 
Last week the Badgers partook in a home sweep against Bemidji State—the team totaling a whopping 10 goals over the two games. I would like to give a shoutout to Baby Badger Natalie Buchbinder for tallying her first goal in the Cardinal and White. Congrats Buster!
 
With those games behind us, all eyes are now narrowed in on the most anticipated series of the year: the fight against the Golden Gophers.
 
"We need to go into the game not treating them any differently," senior Maddie Rolfes emphasized.
 
"It's just another weekend, and we always come out hard and focused. It's obviously a rival game, which raises the excitement level, but if we continue our hard work habits we will be successful."
 
Couldn't have said it better myself Mads! Wise words from a wise leader right there.
 
For some of us raised on Wisconsin soil , this rivalry has been instilled within our hearts since birth.
 
The exhilarating atmosphere filled with a sea of cardinal and white clashing with maroon and gold, the chills that dance throughout your body when your blades cut into the ice during warmups, the chants, the battle of the bands, the roar of the crowd when you send the puck across the goal line. Victories are always sweeter and losses always more bitter. All of these things merely scratch the surface of why it's one of the best rivalries in college hockey.
 
"I just think of the history of it all—from watching it when I was younger and being able to experience it from the stands last year," captain Claudia Kepler said.
 
"I have yet to be a part of the Border Battle on ice, and it's something I have looked forward to for so long!"
 
I'm right there with you Claude. There's nothing like a Border Battle.
 
The Badgers take on the Gophers Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 5 p.m. We hope to see you there! If you cannot make it, follow the team on uwbadgers.com or on our Twitter feed. Thanks for your unwavering support.
 
On Wisconsin!
 
-Baylee