The Wisconsin women’s hockey team bested St. Cloud State in both Friday and Saturday’s meetings last weekend, sweeping the series.

The No. 2 Badgers (6-0-0, 4-0-0 WCHA) remain perfect in the season as they tallied two more wins on their record, elevating them to a total of six wins and zero losses.

Sophomore Annie Pankowski has scored in every game this season. The Badgers are out-scoring opponents 35-2 on the year.

But the most pleasant surprise this season has been UW’s stellar defense throughout their almost-perfect start, having only allowed two goals the entire year. At his weekly news conference Monday, head coach Mark Johnson said the returning pieces to his defensive scheme and the team’s overall attitude has led to the unit’s success.

“Keeping the puck out of our net is certainly something we are going to be confident in,” Johnson said.

Johnson is still skeptical of the idea that these near-flawless numbers would continue to be so strong as the season progressed, especially against UW’s next opponent in No. 6 Bemidji State (6-0-2, 3-0-1).

“In the next month we will get to know more about our team,” Johnson said. “And it [playing Bemidji State] will certainly be the biggest test we have up to this point in our season.”

Johnson said if the team is going to get better, they need to follow a system.

“It’s a process of everyday — you have to come to practice, and you have to give it your best and practice hard,” Johnson said. “And then on the weekends, it’s like a test.”

A true “test” awaits the Badgers this weekend, as they prepare for this Top 10 matchup. Puck-drop is at 7 p.m. Friday night and 3 p.m. Saturday at LaBahn Arena.