Badger Womens Hockey 2025-26

[Pokerbrat2000]

There were 11 current or ex Badger players on the 2 teams that took the ice yesterday, 6 for USA and 5 for Canada. Quite impressive, Mark Johnson had to be beaming! The tying goal was shot by a Badger (Edwards), tipped in by a Badger (Knight) and not saved by a Badger (Desbiens).

KK Harvey was named MVP of the Olympic tournament.

Now hurry home ladies, we have an NCAA Championship to defend!

 

[Voyageur]

I got home with a little over 2 minutes left in the 3rd period, saw the goal that tied it and the OT goal/win. It reminded me of the Badgers beating Ohio State for the National Championship.

So happy for the players. some got the monkey off their back after several tries and near misses.

 

[Voyageur]

An interesting fact about Badgers women's hockey. There was a player on all three medalist teams that played or are playing hockey at the University of Wisconsin. That's a pretty good indication as to what Mark Johnson's program brings to the table in the college ranks. He's the GOAT as for as I'm concerned, when it comes to the women's game.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

U.S. Olympic Hockey! 2 Golds!

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[Voyageur]

Wisconsin had three present day players on the US team, and another three were representatives on other nations.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Wisconsin had three present day players on the US team, and another three were representatives on other nations.

Actually, they had 4 current Badgers on the U.S. Olympic team:

Laila Edwards, Caroline Harvey, Ava McNaughton and Kirsten Simms

Also, current Badger, Adéla Šapovalivová, played on the Czechia team.

Also, a lot of Ex Badgers saw the ice for U.S. and Canada:

Britta Curl-Salemme and Hilary Knight were on the U.S. team

Ann-Renée Desbiens, Emily Clark, Blayre Turnbull, Daryl Watts and Sarah Nurse were all playing for Canada.

If I did my math right, 12 current or former Badgers played in the Olympics, with 11 of the 12, playing for Gold on the final day. Mark Johnson had to be proud and while I am sure he wanted Team USA to win, he would have been happy for 5 of his ex players had Canada won instead.

Now let's get out there and win our 9th National Championship and 2nd in a Row!

 

[El Guapo]

If I did my math right, 12 current or former Badgers played in the Olympics, with 11 of the 12, playing for Gold on the final day. Mark Johnson had to be proud and while I am sure he wanted Team USA to win, he would have been happy for 5 of his ex players had Canada won instead.

That's impressive. Mark Johnson was and still is a hockey phenom and has attracted a lot of top talent to the Wisconsin program and then made them even greater with his knowledge and enthusiasm.

My Gophers weren't too bad with 9 current and former players in the Olympics. There's a good reason that Wisconsin and Minnesota have consistently been the top leaders in women's hockey.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

That's impressive. Mark Johnson was and still is a hockey phenom and has attracted a lot of top talent to the Wisconsin program and then made them even greater with his knowledge and enthusiasm.

My Gophers weren't too bad with 9 current and former players in the Olympics. There's a good reason that Wisconsin and Minnesota have consistently been the top leaders in women's hockey.

Sadly, the Buckeyes have joined the Badgers and Gophers in Women's Hockey dominance. I expect to see all three teams in the final 4, with 2 of the 3 facing off for the NCAA Championship.

 

[El Guapo]

Sadly, the Buckeyes have joined the Badgers and Gophers in Women's Hockey dominance. I expect to see all three teams in the final 4, with 2 of the 3 facing off for the NCAA Championship.

They will likely all be there, but I don't think that it's sad that the Buckeyes have joined the elite. Hopefully more schools do as young players are inspired to go out and play.

I know that your statement was a bit more tongue-in-cheek due to animosity towards Ohio State, but regardless of the school it is good for the game to break up the dominance at the top.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Impressive perseverance by Hillary!

USA women's ice hockey captain Hilary Knight reveals she played 2026 Winter Olympics with torn MCL in knee

Knight scored the game-tying goal in Team USA's gold-medal overtime win versus Canada, giving her the most in Olympics history for a U.S. women's hockey player.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

A good 6-0 regional win for Bucky on Saturday to advance to the NCAA Frozen Four. Quinnipiac was never in the game and the Badgers outshot the Bobcats 51-17.

It also marked the 700th career victory of head coach Mark Johnson, the first NCAA women’s hockey head coach to reach that milestone.

This is the point where the road to another NCAA Championship gets considerably tougher. Their next opponent is Penn State. Unfortunately for Bucky, The Frozen Four is taking place in The Pegula Ice Arena this year. That is the home of Penn State, which means that the 6,000+ seat arena will no doubt be filled with screaming PSU fans. On neutral ice, the Badgers would probably be a 2-3 goal favorite. This will be a big challenge for Bucky on Friday Night.

If they get by PSU, the Badgers will face the winner of Ohio State VS Northeastern.

I fully expect the 4th straight NCAA Championship matchup of OSU VS Bucky!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

WOW.....what a game last night! PSU was a much better team than I expected and it took a thrilling 4-3 OT game winner by Kristen Simms to get the Badgers into the NCAA Championship game with the Buckeyes on Sunday.

Pegula Ice Arena was packed with PSU fans and that really seemed to fire the Nittany Lions up. The 5,176 in attendance set a record for a Woman's NCAA Frozen 4 game.

A fast and physical game for sure.

This marks the fourth-straight year that UW and Ohio State will meet in the NCAA title game and the fifth time in six years the two teams will meet in the NCAA postseason. UW is 3-1 against the Buckeyes in the NCAA tournament. The game will be Sunday at 3PM on ESPNU.

Highlights from last nights game:

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[Pokerbrat2000]

Woo-hoo!!

Was a no brainer for me, but it is official!

Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey wins Patty Kazmaier award as women's college hockey's top player​

Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey wins Patty Kazmaier award as women's college hockey's top player

Wisconsin defender Caroline Harvey has cemented her reputation as one of college women's hockey's top players in being voted this season's Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner.

www.newsday.com

 

[Voyageur]

I got a chance to watch most of the game last night. I missed the early part when PSU scored twice on power plays. I figured that wouldn't be the game decider. The Badger women don't fold under pressure. I figured it would just make them play harder and, in the end, win it. That tying goal in the 3rd period that PSU got was pure luck based on the Badgers changing their line. It wouldn't have happened otherwise. McNaughton doesn't let shots get by her that easily or often.

Simms winning it in OT. Go figure. She has a penchant for that kind of heroics. She seems to be made for the moment.

Ohio State. The best women's hockey team that money can buy. Wisconsin. The best women's hockey team that can be assembled and coached by a man who turns out Olympian gold medalists and ladies who move up to the next level flawlessly.

I'll take the Badgers and Mark Johnson over anything that OSU has to offer every day.

Now, tomorrow, the hat trick! Turn this team into the legend they are. Make it rain goals.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

My hat goes off to PSU, they played well last night and better than I expected them to. They played very physical and the refs seemed to let them get away with it most of the night. Had it not been for a super strong 2nd period by Bucky, I don't know if they escape with a win last night. In the end, PSU's physicality may have cost them that game. In OT Kendall Butze took an absolutely terrible boarding penalty in OT, that had it been a "normal game", she gets a 5 minute major. It ended up being just what the Badgers needed, since Simms scored the game winner just 7 seconds into the Power Play. Give Simms, Harvey or Edwards an open look and you are going to pay for it.

OSU is going to play a very similar game (physical) against the Badgers. That is what helped them defeat the Badgers in the WCHA Final. I hope the Badger steer clear of retaliatory penalties against the Buckeyes, because that is exactly what the Buckeyes will be trying to do to get the Badgers off of their game. Stay composed, and let your talents win the Championship for you!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I got a chance to watch most of the game last night.

Can you believe this BS? They put the quarter and semi-finals on ESPN+? Give me a Fricking break! Even the finals only being on ESPNU is a slap to Women's Hockey.

All the major networks should be ashamed.

 

[Voyageur]

Can you believe this BS? They put the quarter and semi-finals on ESPN+? Give me a Fricking break! Even the finals only being on ESPNU is a slap to Women's Hockey.

All the major networks should be ashamed.

Male chauvinism reigns supreme. Giving women's sports too much oxygen would steal the thunder away from the men's overpaid sports.

A prime example is the WNBA. They played in near obscurity until Caitlin Clark came along, now they've hit the jackpot in beginning to get higher salaries for the players. Filled stadiums and gaining interest that rivals the NBA in some respects but still without that big TV contract. Paige Bueckers making it last year helps too. She has some chops for the game. There are other stars out there as well, but these two are the ones coming out of college recently who had set college ball on fire. I hope Audie Crooks will eventually make it to the league as well. People have thrown so many insults at her and been unfair, but she plays hard every minute on the court and could be a force if they don't allow the rest of the league to treat her like a punching bag.

That brings up an issue I have. Too darned much thug ball being played in the women's game. Absolutely no room for it in the WNBA. It's time for some serious suspensions and fines that make players think twice about how far they want to take their actions.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Male chauvinism reigns supreme. Giving women's sports too much oxygen would steal the thunder away from the men's overpaid sports.

A prime example is the WNBA. They played in near obscurity until Caitlin Clark came along, now they've hit the jackpot in beginning to get higher salaries for the players. Filled stadiums and gaining interest that rivals the NBA in some respects but still without that big TV contract. Paige Bueckers making it last year helps too. She has some chops for the game. There are other stars out there as well, but these two are the ones coming out of college recently who had set college ball on fire. I hope Audie Crooks will eventually make it to the league as well. People have thrown so many insults at her and been unfair, but she plays hard every minute on the court and could be a force if they don't allow the rest of the league to treat her like a punching bag.

That brings up an issue I have. Too darned much thug ball being played in the women's game. Absolutely no room for it in the WNBA. It's time for some serious suspensions and fines that make players think twice about how far they want to take their actions.

Spot on. I'm so fed up with the money involved in most Pro Sports and now college sports, that I am ready to stop following it, possibly even the Packers and Badgers.

I don't watch a lot of Basketball, Men's or Women's, just not my jam. The seasons are too long, with too many meaningless games. I did watch some Badger Basketball this year, both Men's and Women's. Nice to see the women's team finally play well to start the season. However, their 10 game losing streak at the end made everyone just think they are back to basement dwellers. That has been a tough program to get momentum with.

I don't have a crystal ball, but if the amount of money in Sports continue to grow at the rate that it has, something has to give/break. Maybe someone will create an Ai league of all sports. Make it accessible to everyone, entertaining and so fun to watch, that leagues like the NFL can't even pay people to come watch them.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

WHAT A WIN!!!

9 Naties for Bucky!

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I woke up this morning still amped up over yesterdays win. What started out as a game that looked like maybe the Badgers would have an easier win in the NCAA Championship game than in the past, turned into a real nail biting cliff hanger. In retrospect, I prefer that kind of game 100%, over a blow out, especially if "my" team comes out on top.

This teams is going to be talked about for a long time and they should. Some really outstanding players on it and all of the seniors saw 4 straight NCAA Championship games, with 3 of them ending in wins.

It is going to be really tough to lose Harvey, Simms, Edwards, Eden, Enright, Picard, Jungels, Zilisch and Baker. I am just glad that this group found so much success in their time at Wisconsin. What a season for KK Harvey. WCHA MVP, WCHA Regular Season Champion, Olympic Gold Medal, Olympic MVP, Patty Kazmaier Winner and an NCAA Championship. I had to laugh after the game when KK was interviewed and asked where she will go to celebrate when she gets back in Madison. Her reply "The Rink". The PWHL draft is at the end of June, I have zero doubt that she will hear her name called first. Edwards, Simms and Eden won't be too far behind.

I think Mark Johnson will have to hit the Transfer Portal this year, something he doesn't really do much of. He lost 9 players, with 4 of them probably being the top 10 players in the NCAA. The bright light of the 2026 roster came yesterday. Johnson decided to play a 4th line, something Ohio State opted not to and they went with 3 lines. That 4th line was made up of younger players and they actually dominated while out there, so much that they ended up scoring the winning goal.

Way to Go Badgers, Way to go Mark Johnson!

Just saw this so I had to add it:

• Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player: Ava McNaughton (Goaltender, Wisconsin).
• All-Tournament Team (2026): Caroline Harvey (Wisconsin), Laila Edwards (Wisconsin), Kirsten Simms (Wisconsin), Ava McNaughton (Wisconsin).

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[Voyageur]

That 4th line showed they could skate with the best of them. The Buckeyes threw their best line and defense against them in the 3rd period, trying to break them but instead it was those players that ended up beating them. It showed just how much Mark believes in his players. He trusted them with holding onto the tie and they ended up giving them the win.

I agree. The portal is going to be a big option. At 68, I wonder how many more years Mark is going to do this. I have a hunch two more years max. I wonder if he's going to go all out in the portal to turn the hat trick and then sail off into the sunset. It would be wise of the U to put a statue of him right next to his Dad. The legends of Wisconsin hockey.

The ladies have sure done a great job of upholding Wisconsin honor on the national sports stage.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

I agree. The portal is going to be a big option. At 68, I wonder how many more years Mark is going to do this. I have a hunch two more years max. I wonder if he's going to go all out in the portal to turn the hat trick and then sail off into the sunset. It would be wise of the U to put a statue of him right next to his Dad. The legends of Wisconsin hockey.

Agree on Mark and a statue. I wonder if Jackie Crum will takeover for him when he does hang up his skates. She has been his assistant since 2010 and has done a great job. The Gophers fired Scott Frost last week, which given his success, was a mistake IMO. But maybe there where other factors than just the fact that the Gophers can't beat the Buckeyes or Badgers anymore.

For anyone who watched the game yesterday I have to bring up the interview that ESPNU did with OSU star Joy Dunne between the 2nd and 3rd periods. She said something like "They know we are the better team, you can see it in their eyes, they had to call a timeout because we are in better condition than them". Well Joy....who had to call a timeout in the 3rd period?. A timeout, that basically ended up costing your team a chance to tie up the game? Oh and Joy? Who won the game? Thankfully, a few of the broadcasters called her out for being a bit too cocky. MMMM.....Those OSU tears were sweet tasting after the game.

 

[El Guapo]

Great win for the Badgers. As usual, I had to congratulate most of my family that went to Wisconsin. It was a good game. McNaughton showed that she is one of the best, and could just as easily been the one to carry Team USA to Olympic gold.

The Gophers fired Scott Frost last week, which given his success, was a mistake IMO. But maybe there where other factors than just the fact that the Gophers can't beat the Buckeyes or Badgers anymore.

Both the men and women's coaches we essentially let go for the same reasons. They are not keeping enough of the in-state talent at the U. You've all heard it all before, but it's a reality that there are lot of good collegiate hockey schools in Minnesota and they all get theirs (Duluth, Minnesota State, Bemidji, St. Cloud State). In terms of ladies, there are are five Minnesotans on the Badger team and six on the Buckeyes.

Frost wasn't a bad coach and neither is Motzko. Motzko lost a lot of his upper classmen to the NHL and had to field a team of mostly underclassmen this season.

It sounds like I'm making excuses, but it's the harsh reality of coaching hockey at Minnesota. That said, Wisconsin and Ohio State have to fight equally hard for their rosters so all schools are relatively in the same boat.

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Brace yourselves, for the first time EVER in the U.S. a PWHL game will be nationally televised on Saturday! Honestly, I wasn't even aware that a PWHL game hadn't been nationally televised. Side note, the game is on a ION, which I also have never heard of, but it is a step in the right direction for Women's Hockey/Sports.

For women's hockey fans, the league's first U.S. broadcast is a watershed moment

Women's hockey has seen record growth since the Olympics. Now, fans say the PWHL's first national broadcast in the U.S. brings visibility the sport deserves.

www.aol.com

 

[Pokerbrat2000]

Wow! Badgers Men's Hockey is in the Frozen 4! A place they haven't been to in a long time (2010)!

It started out good for the Badgers, scoring a 1st period goal and looking like they were going to give the Top seeded Spartans a run for their money. However, MSU and their 15 already-drafted to the NHL players took over in the second period and looked pretty dominate. Sparty built a 3-1 lead and with 5 minutes to go in the game, I was thinking "Still a rock solid season, but we can't beat a really good team like MSU." Boom! Luke Osburn scores at the 4:47 mark and Bucky is only down by 1 goal! I'm thinking "Oh boy, are you saying we've got a chance?" 34 seconds later.....Boom! Gavin Morrissey scores to tie it all up, "Are you kidding me!!?"

After a wild 4 minutes of action, including 2 minutes of 4 on 4, the game was still tied up at the end of 3 periods and it was off to OT. I dug in expecting a classic back and forth for at least one OT. I was glad that I was wrong, just 24 seconds into the OT, Bucky punched their ticket to Vegas with a deflected prayer, that got by the best goaling in college hockey!


Wow! It truly was a great day for Hockey!

Could this be a magical year for Badger Hockey? This could be the 2nd time in college Hockey history that the same school has won both the Women's and Men's Championship. What other program did that? Wisconsin of course, in 2006.

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