Badgers Women's hockey 2024-25

[El Guapo]

Go Gophers!

Sadly though this appears to be Bucky's year so far. They are darn good and admittedly fun to watch. I was hoping to take my daughter to the game on Friday, but not for these prices. We'll go to a sports bar.

Honestly, if they held the NCAA Finals in Madison, they probably sell out the Kohl Center or at least sell 8-10K tickets in advance and if the Badgers are playing, a packed house. Sadly, for whatever reasons, it seems that the State of Minnesota has had the Lions share of hosting the NCAA Women's NCAA Tourney. Not once, has it been in Wisconsin.

If they held the finals in Madison, it would be at a smaller arena as I believe LaBahn holds less than 3k fans. My guess is that they want to keep the games at home ice arenas. They could host it at the Xcel Energy Center where the Minnesota Wild play, and probably pack that place.

Let's be real though. Southeastern WI doesn't know hockey from its rear end. As someone who grew up in Milwaukee, I can say that there is a monumental difference between Minnesota and Wisconsin in terms of hockey. The state nearly grinds to a halt for three things annually - fishing opener, deer opener, and the state high school hockey tournament. Go to northern MN and everybody and their grandma plays hockey. There's a reason that the US Hockey Hall of Fame is in Eveleth, MN. Anyway, the NCAA knows that even if the Gophers aren't in the Frozen Four that hockey fans will fill the stands. You can't say that about many other places for hockey, let alone women's hockey.

Good luck to everyone on Friday though. It should be fun.

 

[Voyageur]

Well the good news for Harvey, Edwards and the Badgers, those 2 players are juniors, so they should be back next year. The Badgers are returning a lot of top players next season, but 2 key losses to graduation will be O'Brien & Eden. I won't be surprised if they pick up 1-2 top players in the transfer portal. We had Clarkson parents sitting behind us for yesterdays game and I kept hearing them say things like "Wow, what a college hockey atmosphere, I can see why they get the top players here."

One thing that will change college hockey in 2025-26 will be the Olympics. I don't think they are pausing the NCAA Hockey schedules during the Olympics, so several teams may "lose" key players during a long stretch. I can see both Harvey and Edwards as possibly being on that Olympic team. Seniors O'Brien and Eden have a great shot as well, with O'Brien probably being a shoe-in.

The Gophers held on to beat Colgate yesterday, so Bucky and Goldy will be going at it again on Friday night, at 7:30. Meanwhile OSU will take on Cornell in the other semi-finals. The Badgers can't look past the Gophers, but if I was a betting man, it will once again be the Badgers VS the Buckeyes in the Championship game, for the 3rd straight year.

What you heard from those Clarkson parents is a real breath of fresh air and a true complement to the Badgers hockey program and fans. It's things like that which makes us Wisconsin Proud. Texans can't understand it. They have their pride, but when talking to them they end up saying things like, "I got my Texas pride, but you boys take the trophy home." It makes me smile, inside and out.

I think the Badgers will have a rough go next year because of the Olympics. I think we're going to see several players not being available to the Badgers as they'll be following Olympic dreams.

I agree on the finals. The biggest obstacle in the first game of the finals is playing a game in Minesota against the home team. They're going to be on a season high for that one. Bucky is gonna have to let the dogs out to win it. A match-up against OSU would be fitting. They're the only team who can honestly say they're good enough to beat the Badgers on other than a lucky night.

 

[Voyageur]

Go Gophers!

Sadly though this appears to be Bucky's year so far. They are darn good and admittedly fun to watch. I was hoping to take my daughter to the game on Friday, but not for these prices. We'll go to a sports bar.


If they held the finals in Madison, it would be at a smaller arena as I believe LaBahn holds less than 3k fans. My guess is that they want to keep the games at home ice arenas. They could host it at the Xcel Energy Center where the Minnesota Wild play, and probably pack that place.

Let's be real though. Southeastern WI doesn't know hockey from its rear end. As someone who grew up in Milwaukee, I can say that there is a monumental difference between Minnesota and Wisconsin in terms of hockey. The state nearly grinds to a halt for three things annually - fishing opener, deer opener, and the state high school hockey tournament. Go to northern MN and everybody and their grandma plays hockey. There's a reason that the US Hockey Hall of Fame is in Eveleth, MN. Anyway, the NCAA knows that even if the Gophers aren't in the Frozen Four that hockey fans will fill the stands. You can't say that about many other places for hockey, let alone women's hockey.

Good luck to everyone on Friday though. It should be fun.

No doubt about it, Minnesota is bigger in hockey than in Wisconsin. But, in Wisconsin, the sport has been growing fairly quickly in a lot of areas. The biggest problem has been finding money to build ice rinks in areas because there was such a lack of interest. But that's changing, and so is the scope of the game in Wisconsin. It starts with communities building skating facilities and youth hockey programs. Build them and it all naturally follows but it takes time.

To tell you the truth, Minnesota is loaded with "hockey snobs," and that makes them less liked because of it. Even though they still produce more D1 level hockey players than any other state, Wisconsin has grown from not even being on the list to #6, and that's up two notches from 3 years ago. Interest is growing, and so are the number of rinks being built around the state. Interest is growing rapidly. But, true, still way behind Minnesota.

In the meantime, your comment about attendance? Here's a fact. During this past season, the Badgers had an attendance of over 50% more than the Gophers and averaged 152.4% of their seating capacity. Minnesota meanwhile ended up with a 59.3% attendance rating. As you can see from this charting, it's the Badgers, at the D1 level, that has the fans, and Minnesota is not even close.

EDIT: Seeing Minnesota-Duluth in 4th place with attendance is a real eye opener too. That's amazing for a smaller but highly competitive school.

Women's Division I Hockey 2024-2025 Attendance | Statistics - College Hockey | USCHO.com

Statistics Mens and Womens College Hockey Scoring, Goals, Assists, Goaltending Leaders, Player Stats, Conferences Stats, Team Stats, Rosters, Statistics

www.uscho.com

 

[Voyageur]

Another interesting fact. Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey home attendance is second in total to North Dakota in D1 hockey. Minnesota comes in at #3. Minnesota has 90% fill rate, Wisconsin is 67.4%. It sounds like Minnesota is actually doing more to fill their stadium but that's actually destroyed by the fact that the Badgers average attendance for this past year actually exceeds the total capacity of the Minnesota facility. So, hands down, Wisconsin beats them in this one too by exceeding their 100% capability.

But, North Dakota wins this one by a long shot over everyone else. What I do think is amazing is Minnesota-Duluth in top 10, and seeing Minnesota State & St. Cloud State in the top 20. In this one, without doubt, the state of Minnesota wins the overall interest.

Men's Division I Hockey 2024-2025 Attendance | Statistics - College Hockey | USCHO.com

Statistics Mens and Womens College Hockey Scoring, Goals, Assists, Goaltending Leaders, Player Stats, Conferences Stats, Team Stats, Rosters, Statistics

www.uscho.com

 

[El Guapo]

You both make a lot of good points.

Something tough about introducing hockey is the cost barrier. It is a big financial and time burden on parents, so it's good to see that the sport is growing in areas.

The Gophers always have attendance problems with most sports. Not only do you have all of the major sports (as do most Big Ten universities) but you've also got all of the pro sports teams in town. I never went to a hockey game as an undergrad, but did sit through every d*** football game at the Metrodome. Go some place like UMD where hockey rules and the other sports are minor, and you develop a passionate fanbase because there is not much to do in Duluth during the winter except to go to the DECC.

 

[Voyageur]

You both make a lot of good points.

Something tough about introducing hockey is the cost barrier. It is a big financial and time burden on parents, so it's good to see that the sport is growing in areas.

The Gophers always have attendance problems with most sports. Not only do you have all of the major sports (as do most Big Ten universities) but you've also got all of the pro sports teams in town. I never went to a hockey game as an undergrad, but did sit through every d*** football game at the Metrodome. Go some place like UMD where hockey rules and the other sports are minor, and you develop a passionate fanbase because there is not much to do in Duluth during the winter except to go to the DECC.

I've always marveled at how different states take to a sport and in a way, make it their own. Minnesota has done that with hockey at a pee-wee level and through college. So many Minnesota colleges are big time programs in college hockey. Attendance at high school games goes through the roof. Empty seats are rare if they have at least a decent team.

Indiana goes hoops crazy. Basketball from children's programs all the way through college. Their high school games are selling outs in a lot of venues. My wife's old high school would pack about 500 people into every game even when they were winning less than half their games.

In Texas, football is king. As of 2025, there will be 13 D1 football programs in the state. In HS, stadiums are huge, expensive, and scoreboards are worth more than the entire buildings value in a lot of schools up North. It's a different world, where HS football is broadcast on TV with big time advertising and broadcast teams. Coaches who win can get salaries just for football that are in the $150k range, and end up with perks like new cars, all expenses paid trips, and just about anything they might desire as long as their teams win. I think it's overdone, but it is Texas, and everything they do is overdone. I see it every day. Even going out for dinner is overdone. They think nothing of driving a couple of hours to go to a special place to eat as if it was just around the corner. I have friends that drive out to South Padre Island on a weekly basis just for lunch. It's an hour each way.

Wisconsin is saddled by the Puritan WIAA that restricts pretty much everything in youth through high school sports to make it almost impossible for a kid to develop into a highly competitive athlete in this day and age. As an example, down here in Texas, kids play football year-round, and coaches end up being associated with their practices even during off seasons. If a coach even tossed a football to a kid during the "forbidden season" in Wisconsin, both would be drawn and quartered by the WIAA and banned from everything including cheerleading until they were in their graves.

I don't want to get started on how Wisconsin handles HS sports. The WIAA is totally out of sync with today's reality.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Go Gophers!

Sadly though this appears to be Bucky's year so far. They are darn good and admittedly fun to watch. I was hoping to take my daughter to the game on Friday, but not for these prices. We'll go to a sports bar.


If they held the finals in Madison, it would be at a smaller arena as I believe LaBahn holds less than 3k fans. My guess is that they want to keep the games at home ice arenas. They could host it at the Xcel Energy Center where the Minnesota Wild play, and probably pack that place.

Let's be real though. Southeastern WI doesn't know hockey from its rear end. As someone who grew up in Milwaukee, I can say that there is a monumental difference between Minnesota and Wisconsin in terms of hockey. The state nearly grinds to a halt for three things annually - fishing opener, deer opener, and the state high school hockey tournament. Go to northern MN and everybody and their grandma plays hockey. There's a reason that the US Hockey Hall of Fame is in Eveleth, MN. Anyway, the NCAA knows that even if the Gophers aren't in the Frozen Four that hockey fans will fill the stands. You can't say that about many other places for hockey, let alone women's hockey.

Good luck to everyone on Friday though. It should be fun.

If the Badgers hosted the NCAA Frozen 4, it would be at the Kohl Center. Which is next door to the LeBahn Center and has a seating capacity of 17,071.

No doubt Hockey is a big thing in Minnesota, but I think you underestimate just how BIG Women's hockey is in Madison. You also might be overstating how big it is in Minnesota as well. While I can't find attendance numbers for the championship game between the Gophers and Badgers, the picture below tells you enough. Must have been a big fishing day in Minnyshitty? You and I could have had a conversation across the ice, while they played.

Also of note, the Badger Women's hockey program has had 6 crowds of more than 10,000 fans at games and are the only school to draw more than 10,000 fans to a women's hockey contest. The NCAA Single game record attendance for a Women's Hockey Game is held by Wisconsin and is 15,359. So please, don't lecture me on the popularity of Women's Hockey in Wisconsin.

If Women's Hockey was as big in Minnesota as you are saying, why isn't this final 4 at Mariucci? Ridder only holds 3,400, while Mariucci holds 10,000.

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[El Guapo]

I wasn't trying to lecture you. Sorry if it appeared that way.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I wasn't trying to lecture you. Sorry if it appeared that way.

Let's be real though. Southeastern WI doesn't know hockey from its rear end.

Maybe I should have said "condescending"?

Just giving you the business.

Let's just say I get a bit defensive when it comes to Women's Sports, especially Hockey and Volleyball in Madison. We have some of the best and loyal fans in the country, for both of those teams. The stigma some have when it comes to Women's sports needs to change. Even in Madison, some could care less about a Women's Hockey or Volleyball Team that is elite, but get all excited about watching a so-so Men's Football team.

While I do agree with you though, hockey in all of Minnesota is much more popular than in all of Wisconsin, especially Men's hockey. The Admirals have done OK in Milwaukee, averaging just over 6,000/game this year. I don't think that there will ever be an NHL team in Wisconsin.

Anyway, didn't mean to bust your chops, just early morning caffeine rage.
Will be a great weekend of hockey for sure and if the Badgers win Friday night, I think we see a lot of tickets get purged for Sundays game. I hope that is the case and if it is, I will probably be making the 4 hour trip up to Minneapolis for the final, alone.

 

[Voyageur]

I wasn't trying to lecture you. Sorry if it appeared that way.

One thing most sports fans have in common - They mark territory. I even see it down here in South Texas. On college gamedays during the football season, several flags representing Big 10 schools are flying on the flag poles. Each year the flags get larger. This year it ended up being carried over into yard flags and banners, and was starting to be displayed on golf carts.

In fact, I thought about having our golf cart painted to match the Badger colors and have the Badger logo on the front and helmets on the sides. I even considered having the seats reupholstered to match, with a nice Badger "W" on each seat.

Then my wife said, "I thought you were thinking about doing that but using a Packer motif? That put me in a quandry. Which way to go. I chose to leave it as it is and fly flags on it.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Then my wife said, "I thought you were thinking about doing that but using a Packer motif? That put me in a quandry. Which way to go. I chose to leave it as it is and fly flags on it.

The best solution......half and half, right down the middle!

Picture these 2 having a baby!

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[Voyageur]

The best solution......half and half, right down the middle!

Picture these 2 having a baby!

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I was thinking that the Packer one would have a green body and the Badger unit would be cardinal red. The rest is great!

My carts are a prettier design than those. I have a newer Club Car.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I was thinking that the Packer one would have a green body and the Badger unit would be cardinal red. The rest is great!

100% agree

Although, on a 100+ degree day, that might soak up a lot of heat....better install AC

 

[El Guapo]

No worries. I met my Mrs. El Guapo playing sports. She was an incredible athlete but absolutely hates watching women's sports. I'm a fan of women's sports - volleyball, basketball, hockey, etc.

If you drive up for the game Sunday, let me know. If you're interested I'll meet you out there and we can discuss hockey and Packers.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Oh FFS!! I just saw that Friday games are only being shown on ESPN+ I am playing poker on Friday night, but my host promised the hockey game would be on. He better have ESPN+ or ......grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

JFC......so unbelievable that they would do that!

The Sunday Championship game is on ESPNU.