The Madison Capitols are bringing a touch of Wisconsin Badgers magic to their playoff run. On Friday, May 8, four former UW men's hockey standouts—Finn Brink, Ben Dexheimer, Jack Horbach, and Kyle Kukkonen—will take part in the ceremonial puck drop before the Capitols face the Muskegon Lumberjacks in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals.

These four players are fresh off an unforgettable season with the Badgers, who advanced all the way to the National Championship game. Their contributions were key to Wisconsin's historic 2025-26 campaign: Brink notched 13 points in 27 games, Dexheimer tallied 28 in 39, Horbach added eight in 39, and Kukkonen chipped in six in 26. Notably, Brink is the only underclassman among the group and a former Capitols skater himself, having recorded 43 points in 57 games during his USHL tenure with Madison.

The timing couldn't be better for the Capitols, who are locked in a tight best-of-five series tied 1-1. Madison kicked things off with a 2-1 road win in Muskegon but fell 5-3 in Game 2. With the series guaranteed to extend to at least four games, the puck drop ceremony adds an extra layer of excitement for fans at Bob Suter's LEGACY20 Arena on Saturday, May 9.

Whether you're a Badgers fan or a Capitols supporter, this is a perfect chance to celebrate the pipeline between Wisconsin's college and junior hockey scenes—and maybe grab some fresh gear to show your team pride.