MINNEAPOLIS - The Wisconsin women's hockey team secured their place in the NCAA Championship game on Sunday after a convincing 6-2 victory over their border rivals, the Minnesota Golden Gophers, in the Frozen Four semifinal on March 21, 2025. This win marks Wisconsin's twelfth appearance in the championship game and its successful pursuit of a record-extending eighth national title.
The game began with high hopes for the fourth-seeded Gophers, who took an early lead when senior forward Peyton Hemp scored a rebound goal at 14:14 in the first period. However, their momentum was soon interrupted as Wisconsin's junior forward Laila Edwards, who would later seal her performance with a hat trick, scored a shorthanded goal just three minutes later, leveling the game at 1-1.
The Badgers, who came into the game as the top seed, quickly seized control. The second period was pivotal; less than three minutes in, junior defender Caroline Harvey scored, giving Wisconsin a 2-1 lead. Minutes later, Kirsten Simms extended that lead to two goals at 3-1, causing the Gophers to rally. Junior forward Josefin Bouveng managed to reduce the deficit to 3-2 shortly after, scoring less than a minute after Simms. But just when it seemed Minnesota might equalize, Wisconsin's Casey O'Brien struck with only two seconds left in the second period, marking yet another momentum shift in favor of the Badgers, who headed into the final period with a 4-2 lead.
In the third period, Edwards continued to show her playoff prowess, scoring two more goals, bringing her total for the game to three. The first of her final two goals came five minutes into the period, giving her team a comfortable 5-2 cushion. She completed her hat trick at 18:41, stealing a pass at center ice and sliding the puck into the empty net after the Gophers pulled their goaltender.
With this victory, Wisconsin extended its winning streak over Minnesota to ten consecutive games and has swept their six matchups this season, leading the all-time series 58-57-16 for the first time in history. The Badgers are now set to face second-seeded Ohio State, a team they have faced repeatedly in the national championship round, in a rematch scheduled for 3 p.m. on March 23 at Ridder Arena.
Edwards' accomplishments throughout this game were significant. With her initial goal, she reached her 150th career point, becoming one of the Top 20 scorers in program history. Meanwhile, O'Brien’s critical contributions included not only her goal but also setting a new school record for the most points in a single season, totaling 88, surpassing Meghan Duggan’s previous record.
Reflecting on the match, head coach Mark Johnson praised the team’s resilience and ability to execute under pressure. “They’ve earned everything that has been thrown their way. They’ve been consistent. They’ve played well all year,” he stated, highlighting their challenging journey through the season with a proverbial bull’s eye on their backs.
After the game, Edwards expressed her excitement about the upcoming championship, stating, “I’m living my dream right now, playing the sport I love with the people I love. It's a lot of fun, and I’m really excited for the next game.” Her enthusiasm encapsulated the team spirit as they approach their third consecutive title match against the Buckeyes.
The stage is set for another thrilling championship showdown as Wisconsin heads into the matchup with Ohio State, who beat Cornell 4-2 earlier in the day. The rivalry between these two powerhouse programs has intensified over years, and with both teams possessing talent and depth, the national championship game promises to be a memorable one.
On Sunday, March 23, fans can tune in to witness if the Badgers will claim their eighth title, or if the Buckeyes can achieve victory and be crowned national champions again.
