Five Things to Know: No. 2 Badgers to battle No. 1 Buckeyes at Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff

Saturday, March 9

Minneapolis, Minn.

2 PM

Wisconsin Badgers

Ohio State

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Wisconsin women's hockey celebrates a 4-3 OT win over Minnesota on March 8, 2024

Photo by: Taylor Wolfram

Five Things to Know: No. 2 Badgers to battle No. 1 Buckeyes at Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff

March 08, 2024 | Women's Hockey

UW eyes its 10th WCHA tournament crown on Sunday

MADISON, Wis. – The No. 2 Wisconsin women's hockey team has advanced to the 2024 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff championship game, where they are set to face the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Puck drop for the league title game is set for Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tickets are still available for the WCHA Final Faceoff here. Fans that can't make it to the tournament can watch the Badgers in the Madison area on TVW (Channel 3-2) or can listen to the action on The Game 1070 AM as Paul Braun and Mark Greenhalgh have the call from the Twin Cities.

1. LAST TIME OUT: The Badgers earned a thrilling 4-3 overtime win against Minnesota in the semifinals of the Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff. Lacey Eden had the game-winning goal against the Golden Gophers while Kirsten Simms posted a pair of goals in the win. Casey O'Brien also had a goal and an assist while Ava McNaughton made 20 saves in the triumph.

2. BACK AT BLARNEY'S: Prior to puck drop on Saturday, the Badgers will host a fan event at Blarney Pub and Grill from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The UW Band and Bucky Badger will be in attendance and there will also be fan giveaways while supplies last. More information can be found here.

3. SIMMS EARNS WCHA PLAYER OF THE YEAR HONORS: After leading the WCHA in scoring this season, sophomore forward Kirsten Simms was named the 2024 WCHA Player of the Year. Simms is the ninth Badger to earn WCHA Player of the Year overall, and the fourth Badger to claim the league's top honor in the last six seasons. A native of Plymouth, Michigan, Simms leads all NCAA skaters in scoring this year with 69 points, thanks to 31 goals and 38 assists. She has enjoyed multi-point efforts in 22 of the 35 games she has suited up for Wisconsin and has been clutch with eight game-winning goals. The forward was also named a top-10 finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award.

4. AGAINST THE BUCKEYES: UW leads the all-time series against the Buckeyes, 78-24-10. The two WCHA rivals faced one another last month at LaBahn Arena, resulting in a series split. The Badgers last met with the Buckeyes in the postseason at the 2023 NCAA National Championship game on March 19. UW upset OSU, 1-0, to earn their record-breaking seventh national championship title.

5. SELECTION SUNDAY: The WCHA tournament isn't the only postseason action on the horizon for the Badgers as the NCAA tournament is just around the corner. The NCAA Women's Hockey Selection Show will take place on Sunday at 11 a.m. on ESPNews. The Badgers, who claimed their record-seventh NCAA title last year, look to make their 18th appearance at the national championship and their 11th-straight appearance.