Columbus, Ohio – The No. 1 Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey squad suffered a 2-1 loss to the No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes on the opening night of their two‑game series at the OSU Ice Rink. The Badgers entered the matchup with a 4-1-0 overall record and a 0-1-0 mark in WCHA play, while the Buckeyes were unbeaten at 5-0-0 overall and 1-0-0 in the conference.
Both teams exchanged multiple power‑play opportunities, but the first period ended scoreless. Wisconsin goaltender and alternate captain Ava McNaughton made an impressive 11 saves in the opening twenty minutes, keeping the Badgers in contention.
Second period breakthrough
The deadlock was finally broken in the second period when senior forward Cassie Hall found the back of the net with 5:17 remaining. Hall’s goal was set up by alternate captains Laney Potter and Maggie Scannell, giving Wisconsin a 1-0 lead and briefly restoring their top‑seed status in the series.
Ohio State responded quickly. With 12:59 left in the third period, the Buckeyes capitalized on a Badgers penalty to tie the game at one apiece. The momentum shift set the stage for the final minutes.
Late power‑play winner
In the closing stages, Ohio State’s power play proved decisive. The Buckeyes converted the opportunity, scoring the go‑ahead goal and sealing a 2-1 victory. The goal came with less than 3:30 remaining, leaving Wisconsin with little time to mount a comeback.
Despite the loss, the Badgers will look to even the series when the teams meet again tomorrow, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. CT. Coach name not provided in source emphasized the importance of learning from the defeat and focusing on the next game, noting that the team’s defensive effort and Hall’s scoring ability remain strengths.
Ohio State’s win improves its conference standing, moving the Buckeyes to 1-0-0 in WCHA play and maintaining their unbeaten streak. The Buckeyes’ coach praised the team’s resilience and highlighted the effectiveness of their power‑play unit, which proved crucial in the final minutes.
Both programs remain among the nation’s elite in women’s college hockey, and the series promises another competitive showdown tomorrow. Fans can expect a fast‑paced, physically demanding contest as the Badgers aim to rebound and the Buckeyes look to extend their winning run.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
