DURHAM, N.H. — If it was a hunch, it was one guided by history, intuition and numbers.
Members of the University of Wisconsin women's hockey team went into interviews with similar thoughts in mind after a decisive win over Ohio State on Feb. 24.
“I look forward to seeing you again,” Laila Edwards said.
“We really look forward to seeing them again, whether it's in the WCHA or in the national tournament,” Casey O'Brien said. “We are completely ready for that.”
Director Mark Johnson said, “I wouldn't be surprised if we meet sometime in the future.'' “Maybe a few times. I don't know.”
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How to watch, stream, and watch Wisconsin women's hockey's Frozen 4 title game vs. Ohio State
Oh, they knew. They knew that if all went well, the Badgers and Buckeyes would face off on a Sunday afternoon in March in the final NCAA women's hockey game of the season.
It will be held at Whitmore Center Arena, the Eastern venue that will host the sixth meeting of the season between two of the Western powerhouse teams for the NCAA championship trophy.
These two teams are the only two to maintain the number one spot in the domestic rankings this season. They're the same team that played for the national title last season and won an upset over Wisconsin.
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That's why what happened at La Verne Arena on Feb. 24 and in Minneapolis on March 9 was critical to Wisconsin's chances of success in Sunday's national championship game.
Ohio State led 2-0 after the first period on Feb. 24 and was closing in on a four-game sweep over the Badgers in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular season, but O'Brien and Edwards each defeated Wisconsin. He took the lead and turned around. The Badgers scored twice and won 4-2, breaking the Buckeyes' dominance.
“I think if you get swept twice, you're going to go a little crazy,” Wisconsin defenseman Anna Wilgren said. “So I think getting that last win gave us a lot of confidence that we had that confidence in us and it showed when we got the win.”
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The Badgers' belief was further strengthened two weeks later when they defeated the Buckeyes 6-1 in the WCHA Final Faceoff Championship Game. Wisconsin's 6-3 win caused some confusion for Ohio State, which carried into Sunday's contest.
Buckeyes coach Nadine Museral said the loss was motivation, and it showed in the following week's 9-0 win over Minnesota Duluth in the NCAA regional final.
“This is going to be two heavyweights trading punches back and forth (Sunday),” she said. “It's going to be a battle like that and we're ready for it.”
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Wisconsin has shot below 50% on even strength in just six games this season. Five of them came against the Buckeyes, and while they were able to win possession games, they weren't always at the front of the scoreboard.
The Badgers overcame early pressure from Ohio State in the WCHA Championship Game, counterpunching two of their first three shots on goal with goals from Kirsten Sims and Edwards. Buckeyes goaltender Raegan Kirk, who previously had not allowed more than three goals in a game this season, gave up six goals.
Ohio State won two games in Columbus in November, when Badgers' All-American defenseman Caroline Harvey was out with a knee injury, and Sims, the nation's leading scorer and All-American, was out with an upper-body injury. He was limited to a few shifts due to injury. .
Johnson said they had a learning opportunity and it paid off for the Badgers late in the season.
“(Sunday's) game is going to be about who can execute, who can handle this moment better than the other team and who can make some plays,” he said. “It's no different than any other championship game. Are you used to that environment or are you nervous? This is an opportunity for us to showcase ourselves.”
The Badgers have been doing that a lot lately, winning 22 of their last 23 games. His only loss came on Feb. 23 against Ohio State, which gave the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead in the season series. Wisconsin has been working to rebuild the situation ever since, starting with the Feb. 24 rally.
Adding this element has allowed Kirsten Sims to become a prolific scorer for Wisconsin women's hockey.
Wisconsin's 1-0 victory in the 2023 championship game set the stage for each team to win again in 2024. Ohio State, the 2022 NCAA champion, has eight fourth-year and eight fifth-year players, many of whom suffered setbacks in Duluth. Minnesota.
The Badgers, who won the other three championships offered since 2019, rebuilt their system with big seasons from Sims, O'Brien, Edwards, Britta Carle and Lacey Eden. They will have five 20-point scorers this season, a first in Wisconsin women's hockey history.
That means Ohio State and Wisconsin, who are No. 1 and No. 2 in scoring and No. 1 and No. 2 in the bracket, will be competing for the championship. As if it was always doomed.
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“It always looks like that,” Badgers freshman goaltender Eva McNaughton said after Friday's 3-1 win over Colgate. “This is the first time we've ever done this, but if you look back over the last few years, we're always going to play Ohio. That's not necessarily a bad thing. It's 1-2, so it should be. It's going to be exciting.” ”
Samantha Madar's favorite photos of Wisconsin women's hockey from the regular season
Wisconsin's Casey O'Brien celebrates after scoring in the third period of a game against Ohio State on February 24 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin defenseman Caroline Harvey poses for a portrait at La Verne Arena on September 19, 2023.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin's Maddie Wheeler scores a goal against St. Cloud State University goaltender Jojo Chobak in the second period on Feb. 3 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin celebrates after defeating Ohio State at La Verne Arena on February 24th.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
On February 16th, the University of Wisconsin held a celebration after defeating Minnesota in overtime at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin forward Laila Edwards scores a goal in the second period of a game against Merrimack on Jan. 5 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin forward Kathy Hall gains control of the puck during the second period of a game against Merrimack on Jan. 6 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin's Casey O'Brien skates with the puck during the first period against St. Cloud State University on Feb. 3 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin forward Britta Karl scores a goal in the second period against Merrimack on Jan. 5 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin's Britta Carle (right) and Caroline Harvey celebrate after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime against St. Cloud State University on Feb. 3 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin forward Lacey Eden (6) shoots the puck against Minnesota goaltender Skyler Fetter (31) during the second period at La Verne Arena on Friday, February 16, 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin. ).Samantha Madar, State Journal
Samantha Madar
Wisconsin celebrates forward Britta Carle's goal in the second period of Minnesota vs. Duluth on Dec. 2, 2023 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
October 5, 2023 at La Verne Arena, Boston University's Kaylin Flynn is penalized for assaulting the University of Wisconsin's Marianne Pickard in the first period.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin's Casey O'Brien scores the first of two goals in the game against Ohio State goaltender Amanda Thiele in the second period Saturday at La Verne Arena. I scored a goal.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin's Ava McNaughton blocks a shot in the third period of a game against Ohio State on Feb. 24 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin forward Lacey Eden celebrates with teammates during the third period against Merrimack on Jan. 5 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin's Lacey Eden, Caroline Harvey and Kathy Hall, left, Kirsten Hall, after Eden scores in the second period against Boston College on Oct. 6, 2023, at Laverne Arena. Celebrate with the Sims (Frontline).
Samantha Madar, State Journal
Wisconsin's Chayla Edwards (left) celebrates a third-period goal with Britta Carle and Lacey Eden against Boston College on Oct. 5, 2023 at La Verne Arena.
Samantha Madar, State Journal
