A Border Battle for a chance to compete in the National Championship awaits the Wisconsin women’s hockey team in the Frozen Four Friday.

The fourth-seeded Badgers face off with top-seeded Minnesota at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis, the same team that defeated Wisconsin 5-3 in the semifinals of the NCAA tournament last season.

Wisconsin (29-6-4) is looking to avenge that loss — and their 15-game winless streak against the rivals. The Badgers are taking what they learned last year to hopefully improve this weekend.

“We came out and we had the lead, and I think when we went into the dressing room, we were so amped up that we had the lead that we kind of lost focus,” senior Katy Josephs said of last season’s loss. “I think with all of us being there last year, the majority of the team, we know that we can never let up against Minnesota, especially because they will take advantage of it if you do.”

Minnesota (32-3-4) has given the Badgers three of their six losses this season. The most recent series occurred in early January in Minneapolis when Minnesota defeated Wisconsin 4-1 in the first game before tying in the second game.

Hannah Brandt is the leader for the Gophers, scoring 32 goals on the season, 12 more than any Badgers player. Brandt is in the running for the Patty Kazmaier Award, which is given to the most outstanding women’s hockey player for the season.

“The one thing that separates her from a lot of kids is hockey sense, understanding what is going on in the game, understanding what is going on with the puck, is able to read situations,” Wisconsin head coach Mark Johnson said. “Then she’s pretty competitive, so you throw those two things together, and that’s why she’s up for the Patty Kazmaier again.”

Wisconsin will have to slow down Brandt if they want a chance to compete for a championship. Every player under Johnson that has stayed in Madison for at least four years has earned at least one NCAA Championship.

This year’s senior class, besides Brittany Ammerman, who redshirted one season, has yet to earn the elusive NCAA title.

Ammerman’s experience in the NCAA title game has allowed her to share her knowledge with the rest of the players on the team.

“She has basically told us that seeing the team that we have, there’s no doubt in her mind, and any of our minds, that we can win the whole thing,” Josephs said. “She has really said that no matter what, if we play the way we can play, and don’t focus on the other team, whether it is Minnesota, Harvard or BC, then we will be successful if we do that.”

Boston College and Harvard will face off at 8:00 p.m. Friday night in Minneapolis. The winners of the two games Friday will play for the NCAA Championship at 3:00 p.m. Sunday.

Another option of slowing down Brandt is Wisconsin’s goalkeeper, Ann-Renee Desbiens.

She has tied Wisconsin’s single-season shutout record at 14 this season, and was three minutes away from setting the record in the NCAA Quarterfinal against Boston University, before allowing a late goal to the Terriers.

In the Frozen Four, getting a shutout would have a special meaning, not because of the record, but because it means one simple thing.

“You can’t lose if you don’t let any goals in, so I would be way more excited about winning than the record right now,” Desbiens said. “At this point in the season, all you are thinking about is wanting this national title and to be named the best team in the country.”

For this year’s senior class, going out with a victory over Minnesota and a potential national title would be a fitting ending for their careers.

“Ending on a win is very rare, so I think that would be a great experience for them,” Desbiens said. “They deserve everything that is happening to them right now. They are a great class, they work hard, [provide strong] leadership, so hopefully we are able to win that for them.”

Despite not having success against Minnesota, the Badgers will not back down from any challenge, especially with the way they’ve been playing recently.

“To get the national title, you have to beat the best, and they are one of those, so it is going to be fun,” Desbiens said.

Quick Facts

Who: Wisconsin (29-6-4) vs. Minnesota (32-3-4)

What: The Frozen Four

When: Friday, March 20

Where: Ridder Arena, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Wisconsin’s Top Scorers

Annie Pankowski: 20 goals, 22 assists, 42 points
Karley Sylvester: 13 goals, 25 assists, 38 points
Brittany Ammerman: 13 goals, 24 assists, 37 points

Minnesota’s Top Scorers

Hannah Brandt: 32 goals, 38 assists, 70 points
Dani Cameranesi: 23 goals, 40 assists, 63 points
Maryanne Menefee: 22 goals, 21 assists, 43 points

Semifinal Two: Boston College vs. Harvard

In the other game for the Frozen Four, second-seed Boston College takes on the third seed, Harvard.

Boston College (34-2-2) won the Hockey East regular season title, but lost in the conference tournament to Rochester Institute of Technology. The Eagles possessed the top ranking in the country for the majority of the season before entering the NCAA Tournament.

In the NCAA Quarterfinals, Boston College defeated Clarkson 5-1.

Alex Carpenter leads Boston College with 37 goals and 43 assists on the season.

Harvard (26-5-3) won both the regular season and conference tournament championships in the ECAC. They then went on to defeat Quinnipiac 5-0 in their NCAA Quarterfinal matchup.

Mary Parker is the leading scorer for Harvard, scoring 16 goals and 22 assists on the season.