Evening from an empty Mariucci Arena, where in 90 minutes, the Gophers will face off for the first time this season against the rival Wisconsin Badgers.

The Gophers are 6-2-1, 3-2-1 in the WCHA; the Badgers are 1-4-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the WCHA. They've had two bye weeks already.

The Gophers are 155-86-20 all-time vs. the Badgers, 90-27-7 at home. The Badgers, who saw assistant coach Bill Butters unexpectedly resign Nov. 5, have split or won its last five season series with the Gophers. The defensive-minded Badgers play a 1-1-3, so Don Lucia, who is looking for more five-on-five scoring, says, "we're going to see three guys skating backwards all night long."

Jake Parenteau is scratched for the Gophers. Mike Shibrowski and Sam Warning are hurt. Leading Badgers scorer Mark Zengerle is out.

Mikael Granlund may be taking in his first-ever college game tonight. The 2010 first-round pick from the Wild is buddies with Erik Haula and wants to see him play in person.

Gophers lineup

FORWARDS

Kyle Rau-Nick Bjugstad-Christian Isackson

Nate Condon-Erik Haula-Zach Budish

Ryan Reilly-Travis Boyd-Seth Ambroz

Tom Serratore-A.J. Michaelson-Justin Holl

DEFENSEMEN

Seth Helgeson-Ben Marshall

Brady Skjei-Nate Schmidt

Mike Reilly-Mark Alt

GOALIES

Adam Wilcox

Ryan Coyne

Badgers lineup

FORWARDS

Joseph LaBate-Jefferson Dahl-Tyler Barnes

Morgan Zulinick-Derek Lee-Michael Mersch

Ryan Little-Brendan Woods-Keegan Meuer

Brad Navin-Matt Paape-Sean Little

DEFENSEMEN

Kevin Schulze-John Ramage

Chase Drake-Joe Faust

Jake McCabe-Frankie Simonelli

GOALIES

Joel Rumpel

Landon Peterson