The Denver Pioneers hope to continue their three-game unbeaten streak this weekend when they open a two-game series against the Wisconsin Badgers at the Kohl Center in Madison. Both members of the WCHA conference, the Pioneers and Badgers seasons have been going in opposite directions of late. Denver's winning streak has moved them into third place in the conference while the Badgers four-game losing streak has seen them fall to 11th with 16 points.
This series will feature the nation's two highest scoring defensemen in Denver's Joey LaLeggia, who has 10 goals and 21 assists through 29 games and Wisconsin's Justin Schultz, who has racked up 12 goals and 26 assists in 28 games. The Badgers losing streak consisted of two road losses to North Dakota followed by a home sweep to St. Cloud State. Even with the two recent losses, the Badgers still hold a 9-4-1 record at home and will be a dangerous match-up for the Pioneers.
With only six games to go, Denver has a chance to continue rising in the WCHA standings before the playoffs begin on March 9th. Currently in third place with 28 points, Denver is only two points behind conference leader Minnesota, and is just coming off of a two-game sweep of the Golden Gophers.