The Wisconsin Badgers shocked the world by taking down No. 3 Michigan State on Saturday. Now, another ranked team awaits in the Frozen Four.
No. 2 North Dakota handled its region, as it outscored its opponents 8-0 en route to the Frozen Four.
The Fighting Hawks ended a 10-year drought as they’re set to make their first Frozen Four appearance since 2016, which just so happens to be the last time the team won the NCAA men’s hockey tournament.
April 9 is the date the Badgers and Fighting Hawks will face off. It gives each team more than enough time to rest and recover, something Wisconsin desperately needs more than North Dakota.
North Dakota handled Merrimack in the first round, 3-0, before taking down Quinnipiac, 5-0, in the Regional Final. Wisconsin is fresh off an incredible come-from-behind overtime victory against the Spartans.
Jack Kernan had a pair of goals in the Fighting Hawks’ victory over Quinnipiac. Cody Croal, Dylan James, and Cole Reschny also found the back of the net. Croal scored twice in the first round against Merrimack, while James had the third.
Goaltender Jan Spunar has been perfect thus far with 31 saves against Merrimack and 22 against Quinnipiac.
The Badgers also need to keep an eye on Will Zellers, who has a pair of assists in each tournament game. Ellis Rickwood has one in each game as well, while Ben Strinden, Mac Sawnson, and Tyler Young all also had an assist against Quinnipiac.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin men’s hockey NCAA Tournament Frozen Four opponent
