Ohio State Hockey: Buckeyes blitz Badgers, prepare for Wolverines

The Ohio State men’s hockey team blitzed Wisconsin to set up a semi-final showdown with Michigan. Meanwhile, the Buckeyes’ women’s hockey team upset top ranked Badgers to win their first ever WCHA title.

Let’s start with the Ohio State women who bring home their first ever Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) title. The Buckeyes entered the day as an underdog to #1 seeded Badgers and were able to come away victorious.

Regulation ended the way it started, 0-0, until Tatum Skaggs scored a goal in overtime to clinch the win for the Buckeyes.

A great way to end the Big Ten season, and now on to the NCAA tournament where Ohio State will take on Minnesota (who the Buckeyes just beat in the WCHA semis). Good luck Lady Buckeyes!

Meanwhile, the men applied the same pressure and beat the Badgers in 2 games to send the Buckeyes through to the semi-finals.

The first game was a showcase of absolute domination seeing the Buckeyes win 9-1. Carson Meyer led Ohio State by tallying 4 goals and 1 assist to almost single-handedly propel the Buckeyes to a win.

The next game went to overtime after regulation ended tied 1-1. Just like with the women though, the Buckeyes were able to capitalize on a good chance and bury the Badgers in OT.

Jaedon Leslie was the hero, scoring in overtime, but Tommy Nappier had 29 saves in the game to lead a strong Buckeye defense. Ohio State now hosts Michigan in the Big Ten semi-finals in Columbus on Sunday, March 15.

The Buckeyes commanded the in-season series with the Wolverines going 3-1-0 during the regular season and sweeping the two games in Columbus.

Ohio State has a chance to punch their ticket to the Big Ten finals where they have yet to win. This team has shown grit throughout the regular season, and sweeping this series has confidence soaring for the Buckeyes.