In a repeat of last season’s national championship matchup, the No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers swept No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes. After a close 2-1 win Friday night, the Badgers fully overtook the Buckeyes on Saturday with an impressive 6-1 win.
The passion of both teams was easily visible on Friday night, as the anticipation of a top-2 match-up had been brewing for months. Neither the Badgers nor the Buckeyes were able to gain control in the zone for the first seven minutes.
Seven minutes in, Ohio State was finally able to settle the puck in Wisconsin's zone, and the Badger defense seemed to be having a hard time in the crease, but goalie Ava McNaughton was able to keep the goal clear.
About halfway through forward and alternate captain Kelly Gorbatenko and OSU forward Kassidy Carmichael would enter the box, the first of many penalties occurred between these two powerhouses.
The rest of the period looked to be more of the same, as McNaughton’s solid goalkeeping blocked ten Buckeye shots to keep the score knotted at zero.
It took a while for both teams to really get going in the second period, but with over ten minutes left in the period, Ohio State looked primed to score. Wisconsin’s defensive prowess continued however, as captain Caroline Harvey slid to help out McNaughton.
Wisconsin got on the board a few minutes later. With about three minutes to go forward Kirsten Simms got tripped up by defenseman Sara Swiderski, resulting in a penalty against Ohio State. With the Badgers on a power play, Adéla Šapovalivoa capitalized, shooting the puck from behind the goal to give Wisconsin the lead.
With the game continuing to stay physical, Wisconsin scored again 15 minutes later. Breaking away from the Badger zone, Harvey found herself one-on-one with the OSU goalie and buried the shot in the top of the net.
Ohio State’s Joeclyn Amos got the Buckeyes on the board, but it was too little too late, and Wisconsin escaped with a 2-1 victory.
Saturday's tight battle only heightened the stakes heading into the second game of the rivalry weekend. Determined to respond after the loss, OSU made the bold move in goal, swapping senior Hailey McLeod for sophomore Genny Klein.
Period one started with a Wisconsin power play, but that only lasted for 30 seconds as Simms would find her way to the box for hooking.
Five minutes in, Simms fed the puck to forward Cassie Hall who scored in the crease, initially giving Wisconsin a 1-0 lead. But after an Ohio State challenge, it was ruled that Buckeye’s goalie was interfered with and the goal was reversed.
Compared to Friday, Wisconsin dominated in the Buckeyes zone, really testing Klein. With three minutes to go in the period, OSU forward Jordan Baxter went to the box for roughing, giving Wisconsin a power play. With the advantage, Simms was able to fake out the defender and score the first goal of the day.
Wisconsin started the second period hot, as Harvey sent one to the back of the net on her second breakaway of the series.
Wisconsin kept rolling when alternate captain Laila Edwards attempted a long shot that ended up being tipped in by forward Maggie Scannell.
Ohio State began to play a more aggressive game, drawing two penalties before Lacey Eden passed it off to Kelly Gorbatenko giving the Badgers a 4-0 lead.
Third period kept the penalties going as the Buckeyes would be on the power play after Ava Murphy was called for body checking.
With 13:44 left to play, Ohio State’s Joy Dunne was finally able to scoop the puck past McNaughton. But just as Ohio State challenged Hall’s goal in the first, so did Wisconsin’s coach Mark Johnson. Luckily for the Badgers, the goal was recalled as McNaughton was interfered with.
A few minutes later Harvey attempted a shot but was blocked by Klein, but Gorbatenko was able to take the loose rebound for a Wisconsin goal.
With six and half minutes remaining the Buckeyes had two players in the penalty box, giving Wisconsin five players to three advantage.
But despite not having the upperhand, Klein and the OSU defense were able to bail their team out. Just as the power play was ending, defenseman Mira Jungåker came straight from the box and was able to snap one past McNaughton.
But the Badgers had built an impenetrable lead, and after Hannah Halverson converted a rebound into a goal with four seconds left, Wisconsin won 6-1.
Sweeping the No. 2 team in the nation, especially with Saturday’s statement win, signals that Wisconsin truly deserves its spot at No.1. McNaughton’s incredible 60 saves naming her WCHA’s goalie of the week. The sweep also marked the first time that Wisconsin has taken both games from Ohio State since 2019.
Coming into the series the Buckeye’s actually led the WCHA by a single point, but the Badger’s two wins put them ahead five points. Looking ahead to the postseason, Wisconsin once again appears to be the team to beat. These two rivals have met in the last three national championship games, all decided by one goal, and another showdown this year wouldn’t be a surprise. However, beating Ohio State might not be as simple next time with the expected return of star defenseman Emma Peschel.
With a long break ahead of the team Wisconsin will send multiple players to Team USA for the Rivalry Games against Team Canada before heading back on the road to take on No. 5 Minnesota Duluth in January.
