Minnesota vs Wisconsin hockey returns this week, and it arrives with real stakes. Wisconsin climbed to No. 2 in the most recent USCHO.com poll, while Minnesota is unranked but coming off a home sweep of a top-five North Dakota team. The two rivals meet twice at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, on Thursday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 7.
Quick summary
- When: Thursday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026. Minnesota’s schedule lists 7 p.m. for both games, with final times and TV still to be announced.
- Where: 3M Arena at Mariucci, Minneapolis.
- Rankings: Wisconsin was No. 2 in the Oct. 26 USCHO.com poll; Minnesota was outside the top 10.
- Storyline: Wisconsin was last season’s NCAA runner-up, and Minnesota is in its first season under head coach Brett Larson.
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Hockey: Series Details
Minnesota released its 2026-27 schedule in June and called this weekend Wisconsin’s trip to Minneapolis “for the first Border Battle of the year.” According to the Gophers’ schedule release, Big Ten series are set within four-day windows, so this one runs Nov. 5-8 with games on Thursday and Saturday. Exact times and broadcast details were listed as to be announced, so check local listings before puck drop.
🗳️ Vote: Make your prediction for Minnesota vs. Wisconsin (Thursday, Nov. 5) on RallyFuel
🗳️ Vote: Make your prediction for Minnesota vs. Wisconsin (Saturday, Nov. 7) on RallyFuel
Follow both programs on RallyFuel: Minnesota men’s hockey and Wisconsin men’s hockey.
Where Wisconsin Stands
Wisconsin jumped from No. 6 to No. 2 in the Oct. 26 USCHO.com poll, sitting behind only No. 1 Michigan. The Hockey News poll breakdown listed the rest of the top 10 that week:
- Michigan
- Wisconsin
- Denver
- Michigan State
- Providence
- Western Michigan
- Minnesota Duluth
- North Dakota
- Colorado College
- Quinnipiac
The Badgers then opened Big Ten play at home against Notre Dame in the Oct. 29-Nov. 1 window, per Wisconsin’s Big Ten schedule announcement. Results from that weekend feed into the next USCHO.com poll, so check the new rankings before Thursday’s opener.
Wisconsin also carries the weight of last season. The Badgers reached the national title game and finished as NCAA runner-up, so every opponent circles their dates. A road series in Minneapolis is the first true rivalry test of the new season.
Where Minnesota Stands
Minnesota is in year one under Brett Larson, and the start has been uneven but encouraging. The Gophers opened on the road at Michigan Tech, had an early bye, then played at Minnesota Duluth before their home opener. That home opener was the statement: Minnesota swept North Dakota, which was ranked No. 3 at the time and fell to No. 8 afterward. The Hockey News noted that North Dakota allowed 10 goals on 47 shots across the two games.
Minnesota then hosted Penn State to open Big Ten play in the same Oct. 29-Nov. 1 window. A strong showing there plus a split or better against Wisconsin would likely push the Gophers into the national rankings conversation.
See the program pages for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota, plus the full Big Ten on RallyFuel.
Three Things to Watch
1. Can Minnesota protect home ice?
The Gophers’ best weekend so far came at Mariucci. Two more home games against the No. 2 team in the country give Larson’s group a chance to prove the North Dakota sweep was not a one-off.
2. Wisconsin’s road form
Wisconsin opened Big Ten play at the Kohl Center. This is its first conference trip of the season, and rivalry crowds in Minneapolis are rarely quiet.
3. Big Ten standings math
With Big Ten series packed into four-day windows, early conference points matter. A sweep for either team this weekend would be a meaningful head start in one of the strongest leagues in college hockey.
How to Follow the Series
If you cannot get to Mariucci, the simplest plan is to bookmark the Minnesota and Wisconsin athletics sites for the final start times and broadcast details, which both schools said would come later. The Minnesota vs Wisconsin hockey series is also a good week to make a prediction on each game: Thursday’s opener sets the tone, and Saturday’s rematch often swings on how the coaches adjust lines and goaltending after the first night.
Keep an eye on the new USCHO.com poll as well. If Wisconsin held its spot after the Notre Dame series and Minnesota built on its North Dakota sweep against Penn State, this could be a ranked-versus-ranked weekend by the time the puck drops.
What Comes Next
After Wisconsin, Minnesota stays home for a nonconference series against Alaska Anchorage on Nov. 13-14, the first meeting between the programs since the 2016-17 season, according to the Gophers’ schedule release. For more on the national picture, read our October college hockey rankings recap, our list of college hockey players to watch in 2026-27, and our Division I hockey teams rankings guide.
FAQ
When is Minnesota vs Wisconsin hockey in 2026?
The first Minnesota vs Wisconsin hockey series of 2026-27 is Thursday, Nov. 5, and Saturday, Nov. 7, at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis.
What time do the games start and what channel are they on?
Minnesota’s schedule lists 7 p.m. for both games, but the school said final times and TV would be announced later. Check local listings before each game.
Where is Wisconsin ranked?
Wisconsin was No. 2 in the Oct. 26 USCHO.com poll, behind No. 1 Michigan. A new poll follows each weekend of play.
Who coaches Minnesota?
Brett Larson is in his first season as Minnesota’s head coach.
Follow College Athletes on RallyFuel
Make free predictions on both games and the rest of the week at RallyFuel men’s hockey predictions, find players in the athlete directory, and compare programs on the RallyFuel NIL Score leaderboard.
