For the second straight season, the Wisconsin Badgers women’s hockey team has won the National Championship.
After taking down the host team, No. 3 Penn State, in an overtime thriller in the semifinals, Wisconsin was able to use an early 2-0 first-period lead to its advantage against No. 1 Ohio State.
Wisconsin and OSU have now played each other four straight years in the National Championship game with the Badgers prevailing in three of those meetings.
Unlike last year when overtime was required, Wisconsin survived a late third period rally from the Buckeyes to come out on top, 3-2.
The Buckeyes thought they were going to steal another game late against Wisconsin, similar to what they did in the WCHA Championship game. This time around, the result was different.
Wisconsin had first-period goals from Kelly Gorbatenko and Laney Potter. OSU answered by finding the back of the net via Kassidy Carmichael and Jocelyn Amos. In the end, Claire Enright put Wisconsin on top, 3-2, at the 13:42 mark in the third period. Two massive penalties made OSU’s comeback attempt stall in the final minute. The Buckeyes were on the wrong end of a delay of game penalty at 19:18 and then gave the Badgers a two-player advantage at 19:54 thanks to a hooking penalty.
In the end, Ava McNaughton finished with 34 saves. Wisconsin continues to flourish under Mark Johnson, who continues to make history as the all-time winningest women’s hockey coach in NCAA history.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin survives late Ohio State rally to win National Championship
Reporting by Jordon Lawrenz, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
