Wisconsin Edges Penn State in Thrilling Frozen Four Clash
In a nail-biter at Pegula Ice Arena, the Wisconsin women’s ice hockey team clinched a dramatic 4-3 overtime victory against Penn State, thanks to senior forward Kristin Simms. Simms, who has a knack for clutch performances, notched two crucial goals to propel the Lady Badgers into the national championship game.
Simms, known for her heroics last season, delivered once again by tying the game and then securing the win just 50 seconds into overtime. Her game-winning goal came on a power play, set up by a boarding penalty against Penn State’s Kendall Butze, with Caroline Harvey providing the assist.
Penn State, who held a 2-1 lead at the end of the first period, saw standout performances from Tessa Janecke, who scored twice, and Abby Stonehouse, who contributed a goal early on. Despite being out-shot 35-25, the Lady Lions showed resilience by leveling the game late in the third period with Janecke’s goal. They wrap up their season with an impressive 33-6-0 record.
Ohio State Dominates Northeastern to Reach Title Game
Ohio State showcased their dominance with a commanding 5-0 victory over Northeastern, securing their spot in the national title game against Wisconsin. The Buckeyes, who are the No. 1 overall seed, set a program record with their 36th win of the season.
Ohio State’s offensive prowess was on full display as they netted four goals in the final 10 minutes of the first period. Joy Dunne, a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award, opened the scoring with her 27th goal of the season.
Kaia Malachino and Sanni Vanhanen quickly followed suit, while Emma Peschel capped off the period with a buzzer-beater slap shot. Sara Swiderski added the final touch with a deflected goal in the third period.
Goaltender Hailey MacLeod was a fortress in net, recording her fifth shutout of the season with 15 saves, including five crucial stops in the opening minutes. Meanwhile, Northeastern’s Lisa Jonsson put up a valiant effort with 37 saves.
With both teams set for an epic showdown on Sunday, fans can expect a thrilling battle for the national championship.