Wisconsin v Ohio State for the Women’s Hockey Final!

Wisconsin and Ohio State meet again today to determine the NCAA Women’s Hockey Championship in Minnesota today.

 

Madison, Ohio native and senior defender Lauren Bernard, and her buckeye teammates hope to avenge their loss in the WCHA Championship game to the Badgers at 4 PM tonight In Durham, New Hampshire. The game will air on ESPN+.

Wisconsin v Ohio State: The Best Rivalry in College Hockey?

More WCHA Frozen Four Facts: Tomorrow's game between Ohio State and Wisconsin will mark the 3rd consecutive year that two WCHA teams will pay for the NCAA women's hockey national championship and the eighth time since 2006. pic.twitter.com/f7DDTSFS1k

— WCHA Hockey (@WCHA_WHockey) March 24, 2024

 

Wisconsin and Ohio State are right now the best two programs in the country. Wisconsin, the reigning champion, defeated OSU last year, 1-0, in what was an intense final game in 2023. 2022 was the year of the Buckeyes as the women defeated Minnesota Duluth.

Over the past few years, these two teams have faced each other 21 times with Ohio State holding an 11-10 record. This year, the Buckeye Women defeated Wisconsin twice in November, and split a weekend set in February. But for the hardware, OSU came up short.

 

In the WCHA finals, the Badgers hung a 6-3 loss to OSU. Down 5-1 heading into the third period, OSU outscored Wisconsin, 2-1, but the damage was done. At the time, Ohio State was ranked #1 and Wisconsin #2.

 

NCAA Tournament

Wisoncsin rolled through the side of the bracket notching seven goals to one, while OSU, with the 9-0 domination over Minnesota Duluth, have scored 13 goals to just one.

 

Wisconsin is looking to grab its record 11th national championship, which would push them above Minnesota. Ohio State is nearing their 2nd natty.

 

Nadine Muzerall, the former Minnesota Golden Gopher, coaches Ohio State. She has created one of the most dominant programs at Ohio State and in the country! Across the plexiglass plane, Wisconsin’s coach is the “Miracle on Ice” star, Mark Johnson. Johnson has had success just about everywhere he’s been. Twenty years at Wisconsin, his alma mater, has netted him seven national championships, an astounding 594-113-53 (W-L-T) record, and five of his players have walked off with the player of the year honors.

Nadine Muzerall breaks down what it's like facing Clarkson for the first time this season in the Frozen Four: pic.twitter.com/oRqGBmJHTF

— Reid Murray (@ReidJMurray) March 21, 2024

 

Leaders on the Ice

The Buckeyes lead the nation in scoring. Transfer Jennifer Bilka and Jennifer Gardiner are just two of the 14 women who have gained at least 20 points this year! With Raygan Kirk minding the pipes, Ohio State is poised for tonight’s titanic struggle!

 

Wisconsin has three of the top five scorers in all of women’s hockey. WCHA Player of the Year, Kirsten Simms (75 points) and her partners, Casey O’Brien and Britta Curl, look to frustrate the Ohio State blue line defenders.

 

What to Expect

Mark Stewart, a reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, recapped the last press conference before today’s battle. You can read it here.

 

Bottom line, watch the Buckeyes to be physical with the Wisconsin trio. Both teams have outstanding speed. Ohio State struggled Friday in their win over Clarkson. The game was tied heading in the third, but three goals pushed OSU to the finals.

 

The Badgers held a 2-0 late into the third Friday, only to see Colgate grab one late. But pulling the goalie led to the final tally for Wisconsin.

 

Expect a high scoring affair. I’m predicting a 5-4 win for Ohio State as they grab their second national championship.

 

Wisconsin vs. Ohio State
Championship Game
Women’s Frozen Four
4 pm ET
ESPNU@leahhextall (pbp) @AJMleczko (analyst) & @danaboyle_ (reporter) #WomensHockey #WomensFrozenFour

h/t: @bigddan11

📍Durham, N.H.

— Announcer Schedules (@announcerskeds) March 24, 2024

 

Videos from Friday’s wins for both programs.

https://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=39788421