Gophers Hockey prepares for Badgers after uncertain start to season

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (KMSP) - It's only been five games, but start of the season has been slow for Gopher Men's Hockey and this weekend, they'll have to get on track against a fierce rival.

It's not the start they wanted but no one's panicking just yet and there's no reason to be panicked.

Expectations are high, but with a new coaching staff it's going to take a little time for things to all come together.

That said, the competition doesn't get any easier as the Gophers enter Big Ten play.

This Friday, Minnesota and Wisconsin are scheduled to renew the border battle as the Gophers travel to Madison to take on the badgers.

Through five games thus far, Minnesota is 1-3-1 and they've been outscored 10-3 in their last three games, all of which have resulted in a loss.

Meanwhile, the Badgers aren't off to that great of a start either, just 4-4 through their first eight games.

Even though it's early, there will perhaps be a sense of desperation in the air when these two teams battle it out. The Gophers say they see a bit of themselves in the Badgers right now.

Friday's contest will the first of a back-to-back against the Badgers.

While it's still early, in this conference, the Gophers can ill afford falling too far behind.

Nothing like a good old fashioned rivalry game though to get the juices flowing.