The No. 4 ranked Wisconsin men’s hockey team ended last weekend with a dramatic shootout win over Yale to win the Badger Hockey Showdown. This weekend offers another test for UW as they take on the US U-18 national team.

UW head coach Mike Eaves will play one more game shorthanded, as though his three players that won the gold at the World Junior Championship are back with the team, they won’t be in the lineup tonight.

The U-18 team features two Badger recruits in forward Mike Mersch and defenseman Frankie Simonelli, who will both play for UW for the 2010-2011 season. Eight of the players on the national team are among the top 100 NHL prospects, so this should be a good game, regardless of who you’re rooting for.

Last time the Badgers played the U-18 team in Madison, Wisconsin escaped with a 6-5 win at the Kohl Center, back in 2005. Current senior tri-captain Blake Geoffrion scored a goal in that dramatic comeback win.

Join Herald sports editors Adam Holt and Max Henson as they cover the action live from the Kohl Center.

Scroll down for live blog.