Badgers news: Breakdown of the top-ranked Denver Pioneers

After a shaky start to the season, life on the road doesn't get any easier for the No. 20 Wisconsin Badgers (1-3 overall, 0-2 B1G) with a trip to Denver to face the defending national champions.

The No. 1 Denver Pioneers (4-0), winners of two of the last three NCAA championships, picked up right where they left off. They dominated Alaska-Anchorage and Northeastern to open the season, and now they have their sights set on the Badgers.

Who to watch out for

Denver won the championship last year thanks to phenomenal goaltending. Matt Davis posted an astounding 0.63 goals against average and .979 save percentage in the national tournament and was named Most Outstanding Player in both the Northeast Regional and Frozen Four.

He's back for his final year as a full-time starter and looks strong again for the start of the season.

Oh, they also brought back the championship team's top scorer in Jack Devine. The senior scored 56 points last year and is currently leading Denver in points again. Davis and Devine are both experienced standouts looking to win a third NCAA championship.

They also have a superstar defender in sophomore Zeev Buium. As a rookie, the Minnesota Wild's 2024 first-round pick became Denver's first rookie in 30 years to post a 50-point season – a season in which he also led the team in assists.

How can the Badgers win?

The Pioneers are a versatile hockey team and they have the banners to prove it. They haven't fallen behind for a second this season and they haven't played a competitive third period either. They continued to dominate in the second round, outscoring their opponents 10-2 in four games.

If the Badgers want to be the first team to succeed in the third period, Tommy Scarfone and William Gramme will have to make more than a few awkward saves. The Badgers have had the edge all year, but that will likely change against Denver. You can expect to see more shooting than you've seen all year, and the Pioneers aren't afraid to move on once they're warmed up.

Wisconsin's best bet is to make the games uncomfortable and do everything they can to keep Denver off the court. They need to find a way to solve Matt Davis and surpass their current average of 1.75 goals per game.

The good news for the Badgers is that sometimes just seeing it go in once is enough.

The bad news for Badger fans is that traveling west means a break in your viewing experience. Games can be streamed both nights on NCHC.tv.

Game information

Game 1

Date: Friday, October 24th

Time: 8:00 p.m

Location: Denver, CO | Magness Arena

TV: NCHC.tv | Radio: 1310 WIBA

Game 2

Date: Saturday, October 25th

Time: 7:00 p.m

Location: Denver, CO | Magness Arena

TV: NCHC.tv | Radio: 1070 AM The Game