Ohio State Women's Hockey 2025-26

[Timothy A]

Dunne is a beast. So strong. BADger players just bounce off her. She is the scariest player in the wcha. Very entertaining game tonight.

 

[osualum86]

In a battle of the top teams in the country, top-ranked Wisconsin defeated 2nd-ranked Ohio State earlier tonight by a final score of 2-1. The Buckeyes played a decent game, but could not solve Ava McNaughton until 36 seconds remained in the game, which was too late. Wisconsin was better on special teams, scoring a power play goal and killing off two Buckeye power plays. Wisconsin appeared to play a cleaner game as well. The Buckeyes were without defender Emma Peschel tonight and will also be without her tomorrow. I am not using that as an excuse at all, but it does leave a mark when you are without an elite defender like Pesch. Neither team could light the lamp in the first period so the teams went into the first intermission with a 0-0 tie. Wisconsin's Adéla Šapovalivová scored on a power play in the second period to put the Badgers up 1-0 and that is how the middle frame ended. The game remained that way until Caroline Harvey scored on a 2-on-1 to put Wisconsin up 2-0 late in the game. Ohio State would get goal from Jocelyn Amos with 36 seconds to go in the game to avoid a shutout, final score, 2-1. Both tenders stood tall tonight. The Badgers outshot Ohio State 34-26 in this one. Wisconsin goaltender Ava McNaughton stopped 25 of the 26 shots she faced in the win. Buckeye netminder Hailey MacLeod stopped 32 of the 34 shots she faced in the loss. The two teams are back at it tomorrow at 3:00 pm EST.

 

[osualum86]

They are already #1 in the NPI and that is the only poll that really matters. I started a thread about home lame the USCHO poll is, check it out. You should already be #1 there as well.

Appreciate the kind words. It is good to be #1 in the NPI. Maybe we should be #1 in the human polls, but we need to earn that on the ice by winning tomorrow.

 

[pgb-ohio]

Final Score From Friday, December 5th
Wisconsin 2
Ohio State 1

Three Story Lines​

1. The Buckeyes were good, but the Badgers were just a little better -- across the board. My compatriot osualum86 describes this well.

2. Mixed emotions about all of the pushing and shoving after the whistle. On the one hand, I admire the grit, determination and the refusal to give an inch. On the other hand, seeing such highly skilled players devoting so much energy to this side of the game leaves me a little wistful.

3. Three seasoned Badger Stars delivered a brilliant GWG in a 4 on 4 situation. Confident breakout pass from Lacey Eden. Magical headman pass from Laila Edwards to Caroline Harvey. Burst of speed creates the breakaway. Then Caroline Harvey shot like Caroline Harvey.

Three Stars​

If you wish, you can go with:
#1 Caroline Harvey
#2 Laila Edwards
#3 Lacey Eden

After all, they were the difference-makers -- which is my top factor while Star Gazing. But honestly this approach would omit so many deserving players on both teams, I can't fully embrace it. And while I've been know to be generous with Honorable Mentions, I'm a little baffled as to how to get that list down to a manageable number.

So unorthodox though it may be, that's my take on Friday evening's game. On to Saturday afternoon.

 

[robertearle]

If OSU sweeps this weekend we'd obviously take over first place but with a split I'm not certain. The polls are rather wonky as I'm extremely puzzled how Clarkson remained at #10 after the 8-0 spanking we gave them on neutral ice?

When you went through the possible outcome combinations for the weekend here, you left one out.

 

[Timothy A]

When you went through the possible outcome combinations for the weekend here, you left one out.

To be fair, Wisconsin had not swept at that rink since 2019, so a sweep by them was rather unlikely.

 

[osualum86]

Dunne is a beast. So strong. BADger players just bounce off her. She is the scariest player in the wcha. Very entertaining game tonight.

It was an entertaining game for the most part, despite not going our way. We are thrilled that we have Joy on our team. You should feel the same way about Caroline Harvey. She is an elite player and fun to watch. That goal she scored tonight was a thing of beauty, and I don't think any tender in the country would have stopped that shot.

 

[osualum86]

Wisconsin swept Ohio State with a convincing win earlier today, 6-1. The Badgers proved unequivocally that they are the best team in the country. Ohio State has some work to do, and possibly some soul-searching after that performance, if they want to get to that level and prove that they belong in the National Championship-contending conversation. Kirsten Simms opened the scoring for the Badgers as they took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission, and that was the last time this was a contest as Wisconsin pulled away after that. The Badgers got three more goals in the second period from Caroline Harvey, Maggie Scannell, and Kelly Gorbatenko to take a commanding 4-0 lead into the final intermission. Wisconsin would get another goal from Gorbatenko in the final frame to take a 5-0 lead. Ohio State's Mira Jungaker would get a goal later in the period to avoid the shutout. Hannah Halverson scored late in the game for the Badgers to make the final score 6-1. Wisconsin is now on top of the NPI rankings, which is correct as they showed that they are the best team in the country. Ohio State outshot the Badgers in this one, 36-35, but it didn't matter. Badger backstop Ava McNaughton stopped 35 of the 36 shots she faced to get her second win of the weekend. Buckeye netminder Genny Klein stopped 29 of the 35 shots she faced in the loss. Both teams will head to a break now. Ohio State will have a non-league series coming out of the break vs. Penn State on 1/2 - 1/3. Wisconsin will travel to Duluth to take on UMD on 1/9 - 1/10. It was telling to me that the coaches, who normally sing the alma mater with the players after the game, skipped the alma mater and headed straight to the locker room. My guess is that they were not happy with the performance, but I have no way of knowing that for sure. We'll see what happens with this team in the second half of the season. If they play like we all know they can play, they will have a shot to accomplish their goals.

 

[Ditra]

It will be interesting to see if the OSU goalie rotation continues after the break or they just ride MacLeod the rest of the way. I thought Kressin had played well but must have fallen out of favor or got hurt.

 

[robertearle]

It was telling to me that the coaches, who normally sing the alma mater with the players after the game, skipped the alma mater and headed straight to the locker room. My guess is that they were not happy with the performance, but I have no way of knowing that for sure.

That's interesting to me.

Earlier this year, after the UW volleyball team lost at home to USC, it was the team members who failed to stay and sing the alma mater. Whether it was the first loss in the Field House this year, or that it was something of an upset, or that it was the first home loss at all for a good number of the players (a very young roster, with a number of transfers) who didn't realize they should still stick around, regardless, I don't know. But the coaches reportedly let them know in no uncertain terms that they are to stay on the court for the alma mater, win or lose. Which they certainly did two weeks later, after a home loss to Nebraska (certainly NOT an upset. LOL)

 

[pgb-ohio]

Final Score From Saturday, December 5th
Wisconsin 6
Ohio State 1

It Was A Great Day For Horology​

What is a Horologist, you ask? A basic Google Search gives us this answer:​

Someone who is fascinated by timepieces, their history, craftsmanship and mechanics. Someone who collects them for their beauty, historical significance or the joy of restoring intricate machines.

Why were local Horologists so happy on Saturday?

We Got Our Clocks Cleaned.

Three Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun

Ohio State Honorable Mention: Mira Jungaker ​

Late in the 3rd Period, Mira took a Holding Penalty. Upon her release for the box, she turned that lemon into lemonade. Back on the OSU Penalty Kill, Jocelyn Amos blocked a shot and Hilda Svensson swept the puck out of the zone. Jungaker gained possession of the puck, and put a backhander into the top shelf of the Badger Net. Too little and much too late? Of course. But nevertheless a sweet shot? Also yes.

Wisconsin Honorable Mention: Kirsten Simms
Ohio State ate a fair amount of humble pie on Saturday. Kirsten served up the first slice. Preceded by an awesome hesitation move into the middle of the slot, Simms launched a surgical strike into the Buckeye net. With that first goal on the scoresheet, the Badgers were on their way to a dynamic victory.


#3 Star: Kelly Gorbatenko, Wisconsin
Ultimately they were just insurance tallies. But Kelly was the only player to score twice. Gorbatenko pounded in the 4th & 5th Badger goals, which essentially settled the matter.

#2 Star: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin
Great performance both days by Ava. On Friday McNaughton has 25 Saves on 26 Buckeye Shots. On Saturday the total was 35 Saves on 36 Buckeye Shots. That's 60 Saves for the Weekend!

Naturally Ava has a stingy Badger Defense in front of her. Let's not forget to credit the whole Wisconsin 'D' Corps. Still, McNaughton played plenty well enough to earn a shutout in either game. Buckeye persistence kept that from happening both days. But just barely.


#1 Star: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin
Caroline has been causing me heartbreak for some time now. Most notably on March 23, 2025.

But Harvey also played quite brilliantly on Saturday. Caroline had a Goal and 2 Assists. Her 3 Scoring Points led all players. Don't forget that Harvey plays 'D' as well. Her 4 Blocked Shots led all players.

#4 has got to be my favorite Badger since at least Sara Bauer. But Caroline, please. I'm not trying to be Petty, but you've Nicked me up enough. Stop dragging my... stop dragging my heart around!


Confidential To All Who Were Chirping: I went to a Hockey Game & a Debate Broke Out. OK, I Get That There Are Times When First Amendment Rights Must Be Exercised. But Keep In Mind You're World Class Hockey Players, Not Debate Club Members!

Next Stargazing: Have A Very Merry Christmas & A Prosperous New Year. Along With Much Happiness!
Then On January 2nd & 3rd, We're Back At The Ice Rink For An Intriguing Match-Up With CHA Leader Penn State.

 

[osualum86]

That's interesting to me.

Earlier this year, after the UW volleyball team lost at home to USC, it was the team members who failed to stay and sing the alma mater. Whether it was the first loss in the Field House this year, or that it was something of an upset, or that it was the first home loss at all for a good number of the players (a very young roster, with a number of transfers) who didn't realize they should still stick around, regardless, I don't know. But the coaches reportedly let them know in no uncertain terms that they are to stay on the court for the alma mater, win or lose. Which they certainly did two weeks later, after a home loss to Nebraska (certainly NOT an upset. LOL)

Yeah, not 100% sure why our coaches were not singing the alma mater, just a guess. I probably sounded a tad harsh in my write-up of yesterday's game. I just felt like we needed to play better and should have played better. Hopefully, the team will figure things out and be better for it. I remember us getting rolled by Wisconsin a couple of yeas ago in the WCHA Title Game, then going on to win the National Title in New Hampshire. The coaches and kids will have a month to stew about this before Penn State comes to town the first weekend of January. Hopefully they come out with fire in their eyes and ready to start rolling. February will be difficult when we are missing our best players during the Olympics. Wisconsin will be in the same boat. My educated guess is that you will be without Harvey, Eden, Simms, Edwards, possibly McNaughton (not sure who the USA will pick to be the third goaltender), maybe others that are playing for other countries. Minnesota seems like they may be best-positioned to weather the Olympics. We'll see.

 

[osualum86]

Final Score From Saturday, December 5th
Wisconsin 6
Ohio State 1

It Was A Great Day For Horology​

What is a Horologist, you ask? A basic Google Search gives us this answer:​

Someone who is fascinated by timepieces, their history, craftsmanship and mechanics. Someone who collects them for their beauty, historical significance or the joy of restoring intricate machines.

Why were local Horologists so happy on Saturday?

We Got Our Clocks Cleaned.

Three Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun

Ohio State Honorable Mention: Mira Jungaker ​

Late in the 3rd Period, Mira took a Holding Penalty. Upon her release for the box, she turned that lemon into lemonade. Back on the OSU Penalty Kill, Jocelyn Amos blocked a shot and Hilda Svensson swept the puck out of the zone. Jungaker gained possession of the puck, and put a backhander into the top shelf of the Badger Net. Too little and much too late? Of course. But nevertheless a sweet shot? Also yes.

Wisconsin Honorable Mention: Kirsten Simms
Ohio State ate a fair amount of humble pie on Saturday. Kirsten served up the first slice. Preceded by an awesome hesitation move into the middle of the slot, Simms launched a surgical strike into the Buckeye net. With that first goal on the scoresheet, the Badgers were on their way to a dynamic victory.


#3 Star: Kelly Gorbatenko, Wisconsin
Ultimately they were just insurance tallies. But Kelly was the only player to score twice. Gorbatenko pounded in the 4th & 5th Badger goals, which essentially settled the matter.

#2 Star: Ava McNaughton, Wisconsin
Great performance both days by Ava. On Friday McNaughton has 25 Saves on 26 Buckeye Shots. On Saturday the total was 35 Saves on 36 Buckeye Shots. That's 60 Saves for the Weekend!

Naturally Ava has a stingy Badger Defense in front of her. Let's not forget to credit the whole Wisconsin 'D' Corps. Still, McNaughton played plenty well enough to earn a shutout in either game. Buckeye persistence kept that from happening both days. But just barely.


#1 Star: Caroline Harvey, Wisconsin
Caroline has been causing me heartbreak for some time now. Most notably on March 23, 2025.

But Harvey also played quite brilliantly on Saturday. Caroline had a Goal and 2 Assists. Her 3 Scoring Points led all players. Don't forget that Harvey plays 'D' as well. Her 4 Blocked Shots led all players.

#4 has got to be my favorite Badger since at least Sara Bauer. But Caroline, please. I'm not trying to be Petty, but you've Nicked me up enough. Stop dragging my... stop dragging my heart around!


Confidential To All Who Were Chirping: I went to a Hockey Game & a Debate Broke Out. OK, I Get That There Are Times When First Amendment Rights Must Be Exercised. But Keep In Mind You're World Class Hockey Players, Not Debate Club Members!

Next Stargazing: Have A Very Merry Christmas & A Prosperous New Year. Along With Much Happiness!
Then On January 2nd & 3rd, We're Back At The Ice Rink For An Intriguing Match-Up With CHA Leader Penn State.

Caroline Harvey is one of my favorites. I love her game. She is so smooth and when she gets in open space, forget about it. It is going to be fun watching her in the Olympics and the PWHL. LOL, it will be fun when she is no longer playing for the Badgers! They are so loaded this season, just like last season. I sitll think we can play with them and beat them, but we need to continue to work and get better.

 

[BuckyB]

Yeah, not 100% sure why our coaches were not singing the alma mater, just a guess. I probably sounded a tad harsh in my write-up of yesterday's game. I just felt like we needed to play better and should have played better. Hopefully, the team will figure things out and be better for it. I remember us getting rolled by Wisconsin a couple of yeas ago in the WCHA Title Game, then going on to win the National Title in New Hampshire. The coaches and kids will have a month to stew about this before Penn State comes to town the first weekend of January. Hopefully they come out with fire in their eyes and ready to start rolling. February will be difficult when we are missing our best players during the Olympics. Wisconsin will be in the same boat. My educated guess is that you will be without Harvey, Eden, Simms, Edwards, possibly McNaughton (not sure who the USA will pick to be the third goaltender), maybe others that are playing for other countries. Minnesota seems like they may be best-positioned to weather the Olympics. We'll see.

Wisconsin by far will be the best to weather the Olympic storm.. Ohio State and Minnesota without their “Best” players are merely mortal and Ohio State is severely shorthanded to begin with. You take out Dunne, Svennson, Jungaker and Raunio and you have not much left in numbers let alone talent.
Minnesota without Murphy, Bouveng, Primerano and you are wondering who will score a goal.
Wisconsin will not lose one of their top forwards as everyone thinks and you combine that with, Gorbatenko, Hall, Scannell, Potter, Juengels, Picard, McCarthy and I’ll play that all day long against what’s left of anyone.

 

[robertearle]

Yeah, not 100% sure why our coaches were not singing the alma mater, just a guess. I probably sounded a tad harsh in my write-up of yesterday's game. I just felt like we needed to play better and should have played better. Hopefully, the team will figure things out and be better for it. I remember us getting rolled by Wisconsin a couple of yeas ago in the WCHA Title Game, then going on to win the National Title in New Hampshire. The coaches and kids will have a month to stew about this before Penn State comes to town the first weekend of January. Hopefully they come out with fire in their eyes and ready to start rolling. February will be difficult when we are missing our best players during the Olympics. Wisconsin will be in the same boat. My educated guess is that you will be without Harvey, Eden, Simms, Edwards, possibly McNaughton (not sure who the USA will pick to be the third goaltender), maybe others that are playing for other countries. Minnesota seems like they may be best-positioned to weather the Olympics. We'll see.

The only other absentee for Wisconsin will be Sapovalivova.

 

[Timothy A]

Wisconsin will not lose one of their top forwards as everyone thinks

I'm all for that. Who do you predict it will be? Head over to the UW thread and expound on this please.

 

[osualum86]

I'm all for that. Who do you predict it will be? Head over to the UW thread and expound on this please.

From what I have read, Lacey Eden did not make the final cut, so you will have her in February. We will be without five players as all three of our players from Sweden will be suiting up for their country (Jenna Raunio, Hilda Svensson, and Mira Jungaker). Sanni Vanhanen will play for Finland, and I am sure all our opponents will be glad to know that Joy Dunne will be suiting up for Team USA so we will not have her next month.

Onto tonight's game, the Buckeyes took game one vs. Penn State by a final score of 5-1. Sloane Matthews opened the scoring in the first period for Ohio State to send the home team into the first intermission with a 1-0 lead. The Buckeyes scored the first three goals of the second frame to go up 4-0. The Buckeye goals were scored by Joy Dunne, Maxine Cimoroni, and Hilda Svensson. Maddy Christian would score for the Nittany Lions to get them on the board at 4-1. Later in the period, Maxine Cimoroni would get her second goal of the game to put the Bucks up 5-1 heading into the final intermission. Neither team could find the back of the net in the final frame, so that is how it ended. Ohio State outshot Penn State in this one, 45-24. Buckeye netminder Hailey MacLeod was solid in net, stopping 23 of the 24 shots she faced to get the win. Katie DeSa and Madison Campbell combined to stop 40 of the 45 shots they faced for the Lions. The teams will wrap up their series tomorrow with game time at 3:30 pm EST.

 

[Hockeybuckeye]

Last night's game met my expectations. It was nice that we finally have Malachino on the ice.
Fortunately Janecki wasn't a factor against our D. The big question is when will we have Emma back, we'll desperately need her when the Olympians are gone.
I just wish we could play Penn State more often, it could be a great rivalry!

 

[pgb-ohio]

Final Score From Friday, January 2nd
Ohio State 5
Penn State 1

Chalk One Up For The WCHA​

And chalk one up for the Buckeyes. Ohio State got the 2nd Semester off to a fine start, controlling most of the game against their counterparts from Happy Valley.

The Nittany Lions have led the way in Atlantic Hockey all season. During Fall Term, PSU earned a #4 National Ranking, trailing only Wisconsin, Ohio State & Minnesota of the WCHA. Holding a #4 position would give Penn State the tantalizing opportunity to be the top seed in the AH Playoffs; play in a Home Regional; plus a Home Frozen Four -- all in the same season.

Selection criteria willing, that trifecta could still occur. But based on Friday evening's tilt, there remains a gap between Atlantic Hockey's best and the WCHA leaders.

Three Stars of the Game: Decidedly Unofficial & Just For Fun​

Honorable Mention: (tie) Maddy Christian; Penn State; Leah Stecker, Penn State; and Matilde Fantin, Penn State
Score for Penn State? Christian was the only Nittany Lion to say ... OK. Taking a fine pass from Leah, Maddy motored into the slot and broke up the shutout. Note that Maltide got the play going with a nice forecheck at the Buckeye blue line, disrupting a Buckeye breakout pass.


#3 Star: Kaia Malachino, Ohio State
As noted by the observant Hockeybuckeye, we loved having Kaia hit the ice for the first time this season. Malachino rewarded us a crisp assist on the game's final goal. The scoring play began when Maria Roth won a slot battle at the Buckeye end of the ice.

#2 Star: Maxine Cimoroni, Ohio State
Maxine had that final goal; 'twas her second tally of the evening. Cimoroni wound up being the only player with a multiple goal night. Though let's not forget her first marker. Maxine finished a beautiful breakaway with an authoritative in & out move.

#1 Star: Sloane Matthews, Ohio State.
Not necessarily a Hunger Games reference, but Sloane was the Girl On Fire in the series opener. It can also be an Alicia Keys reference if you like. Or Whitney Houston.

If it were possible to score a goal & earn an assist on the same play, Matthews did that to open the scoring. After the initial touch, Sara Swiderski rifled a pass back to Sloane at the PSU blue line. Charging the net, Matthews banked the puck in off the Nittany Lion keeper.

Sloane was just getting started, ultimately adding two assists. That included the perfect pass that sprung Cimoroni on the breakaway. The 3 point night led all players. Matthews had a +3 in the plus/minus stat; a total matched only by linemate Sanni Vanhanen. She had 7 SOG; that led all players. And what the heck? You might as well win 75% of your face-offs while you're at it.

Whichever reference you prefer, Sloane Matthews was chock full of energy on her extremely successful Friday night.


Next Stargazing: The Ohio State/Penn State Rematch Saturday At 3:30 PM. The slightly adjusted start time accommodates television. The Ohio State website indicates that the game will be telecast in the Twin Cities, Chicago & Phoenix markets. Nice for Women's Hockey to get this exposure.

 

[osualum86]

Ohio State completed the sweep earlier today by a final score of 4-1. As was the case in last night's game, all scoring was done in the first two frames. Kaia Malachino opened the scoring for the Buckeyes. The goal was Kaia's first as a Buckeye. Sloane Matthews added a goal to make it 2-0. Penn State's Tessa Janecke, who is an elite player and will be missed by her teammates next month when she goes for gold at the Olympics, scored to cut Ohio State's lead in half at 2-1. Ohio State would get another goal from Mira Jungaker to head into the first intermission with a 3-1 lead. Jocelyn Amos added a goal for the Bucks in the second period to make the score 4-1. Neither team could light the lamp in the final frame and that is how it ended. Ohio State outshot the Nittany Lions 40-21 in this one. Hailey MacLeod got the start in net for the Buckeyes and stopped 20 of the 21 shots she faced to get the win. Madison Campbell stopped 36 of the 40 shots she faced for Penn State. The Buckeyes will travel to St. Cloud next weekend for a pair of games against the Huskies. Penn State will travel to Erie next weekend for a pair of games against Mercyhurst.