Alright, you gotta believe this: the Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes, the two titans of women’s hockey, are already going head-to-head! This isn’t some late-season skirmish, it’s the earliest these two powerhouses have met on the calendar since way back in 2016. Get ready for some serious fireworks because when #1 Wisconsin battles #2 Ohio State, you know it’s gonna be epic.
This Is The Rivalry, Period.
Forget the Packers and Bears, or Brady versus Manning, or even the Lakers and the Celtics. When it comes to women’s college hockey, the Wisconsin Badgers and the Ohio State Buckeyes are *the* rivalry. Seriously, these two have faced off for the last four NCAA championships in a row! Wisconsin has taken three of those four titles, including the last two. Zoom out a bit, and the Badgers have claimed five of the last seven championships overall, with the Buckeyes nabbing the other two. This isn’t just a game, it’s a measuring stick for the entire sport, and it’s happening way earlier than anyone expected this season.
Badgers’ New Look Is Already Dominating
The Badgers, currently 4-0, are walking into this weekend’s test after a flawless start. They absolutely crushed St. Lawrence, then swept Boston University in their first home series. Think they had it easy? Nope! In the second game against BU, Wisconsin trailed after the first period and was tied heading into the third before they dug deep and pulled away for the win. This squad’s got a remodeled roster, too, and let me tell you, the newcomers are making a statement. Freshman forward Nela Lopušanová? She’s been as good as advertised, putting up five points, including three goals and two assists, last weekend to snatch WCHA Rookie of the Week honors. She’s already leading all WCHA rookies in points. And fellow rookie Rosalie Tremblay is right there with her, posting a point per game and fitting perfectly into the Wisconsin attack. Don’t think for a second the vets aren’t carrying their weight either. Seniors Cassie Hall and Kelly Gorbatenko are leading the offense, averaging two points per game through those first four contests. Hall’s got a team-leading five goals, with Gorbatenko right behind her with four. This mix of fresh talent and established leaders? Their offense is only going to get better, folks. They’re far from a finished product and that’s a scary thought for the rest of the league.
McNaughton Is Back and Ready For the Buckeyes
Remember that scare when senior goaltender Ava McNaughton got dinged up in the season opener? Yeah, that was a real “cause for concern” moment, especially since she’s an alternate captain. But she’s back! McNaughton returned for both games against Boston University and is absolutely set to take her place between the pipes against Ohio State. And trust me, that’s huge. McNaughton has a track record against the Buckeyes that other goalies dream about. She’s 8-4-1 all-time against them, including a 2-1 record in NCAA championship games. Her goals-against average against Ohio State is a stellar 1.92, with a .939 save percentage. For context, her career GAA is an insane 1.32 and her career save percentage is .940. She’s a wall, and she’s ready for her biggest rivals.
This series is going to be a true measuring stick for the Badgers’ remodeled roster, proving just where they stand against their fiercest competition right out of the gate. Get ready!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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