The Badgers hit the road for the second time this season to play rival Ohio State in a rematch of last year’s national championship.
The two powerhouses in women’s hockey faced off in an early season matchup and the Buckeyes came away with two wins in their home opener.
The losses marked Wisconsin’s first of the 2026-27 season, dropping the Badgers to 4-2-0 overall and 0-2-0 in Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) play. Ohio State improved to 6-0-0 and 4-0-0 in WCHA conference play.
Both teams came into this series undefeated and also shorthanded.
Following invitations from Team Canada's National Women’s Development Team Selection Camp, Defensemen Ava Murphy and Emma Venusio and freshman Forward Rosalie Tremblay did not play in the series versus the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes were without Captain Jocelyn Amos and Hayley McDonald.
Sophomore Mackenzie Jones made her debut after being injured for the first two series.
Badgers unable to hold lead
The No. 1 Wisconsin women’s hockey team surrendered a third-period lead Friday night, falling 2-1 to No. 2 Ohio State. The Buckeyes scored twice on the power play to earn the win.
Ava McNaughton started in goal for the Badgers and Rookie Rowan Houweling started for the Buckeyes.
After a scoreless and penalty-filled opening period, Wisconsin broke through late in the second. Senior Forward Cassie Hall scored on the power play.
After an offensive zone face-off win, Potter found Hall, who wristed a shot over the goalie's shoulder. Alternate Captains Laney Potter and Maggie Scannell assisted the goal to give the Badgers a 1-0 advantage heading into the final period.
Wisconsin’s lead held until the Buckeyes capitalized on a power play 7:01 into the third period. Ohio State Defenseman Mira Jungåker scored the equalizer off a pass from Hilda Svensson, tying the game at one. McNaughton was screened in front and never saw the one-timer from Jungåker.
Ohio State continued to pressure the Badgers and found the go-ahead goal late in the third period. Svenson scored on the Buckeyes third and final power play, assisted by Jungåker, to put the Buckeyes ahead 2-1. Svenson wristed the puck short-side over McNaughton’s shoulder.
Wisconsin struggled to generate offense in the third period, recording just three shots on goal as Ohio State protected its lead. Ohio State controlled the shot total, outshooting Wisconsin 40-21. Ava McNaughton finished with a season-high 38 saves, while Ohio State goaltender Rowan Houwelling stopped 20 shots.
Over the course of three periods, the Badgers and Buckeyes accumulated 17 penalties and all three goals were scored on the power play.
Three-goal run sinks Badgers
On Saturday, the Buckeyes were able to complete the sweep with a 5-3 win over the Badgers.
The Badgers struck early with a goal by Senior Forward Cassie Hall, scoring just 34 seconds into the game. Assisted by Charlotte Pickenhagen and Nela Lepšuanová, Hall gave Wisconsin a 1-0 advantage.
Ohio State then responded with three consecutive first-period goals to take a 3-1 lead.
Sanni Vanhanen scored the first goal on the powerplay for the Buckeyes when her shot went over the glove of McNaughton.
Just 25 seconds later, the Buckeyes struck again for the go-ahead-goal. Kaia Malachino knocked the puck out of the air to get it by McNaughton.
On their second power play opportunity, the Buckeyes doubled their lead with a goal by Kate Viel.
Wisconsin cut the deficit to one before the end of the period with a goal by Freshman Maddie Kimbrel, her first NCAA goal. Potter and Scannell got the assists.
Potter tied the game at 3-3 early in the second period, finishing a play set up by Hall and Shayla Beaudette. The assist marks Beaudette’s first collegiate point.
After Wisconsin battled back from a two-goal deficit, Ohio State regained the lead just 10 seconds into the third period. Hilda Svensson scored from the top of the crease.
The Buckeyes added another goal later in the period to restore their lead and secure the 5-3 win over the Badgers. Vanhanen redirected a pass from Jungåker to score her second goal of the night.
The Badgers gave it one more chance by pulling McNaughton with 2:23 to go, but the Buckeyes were able to maintain their lead.
Wisconsin recorded 25 shots on goal compared with Ohio State’s 34. Both teams had three penalties, while the Buckeyes converted twice on the power play.
Wisconsin returns back home to La Bahn Arena for a two-game series against Minnesota State. The Badgers will have to stay out of the box in their next series after costly penalties against the Buckeyes contributed to their first losses of the season.
Minnesota State comes into the series 2-2-0 after winning their opening series against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and losing their next two against St. Cloud State. Their trip to La Bahn Arena will be their first road trip of the season.
Puck drops at La Bahn Arena at 7 p.m. on Oct. 16.
Staff Writer
