Having grown up in southern Wisconsin and played a plethora of times
on the ice at Dane County Coliseum, I must admit that it was my least
favorite place to play of all the places I played in the United States
The ice lends itself to a slower game (softer ice) and also has the
horrendous zamboni 'goo' behind one of the goals.
 
I have not played there in several years, so conditions may have changed
to a harder, faster surface with the modifications to the rink.  This
may be why the typically finesse oriented Gophers like the rink better
these days (or it could be that they keep beating the Badgers at the
Coliseum).  I'll poll my brother who tried out with the Badgers a
couple years ago and see if the ice has changed from my childhood.
 
-Patrick Moore
R.P.I. '90 (but a Badger at heart!)