Wisconsin Badgers
Bemidji State
Five things to know: No.1 Badgers host WCHA First Round
February 25, 2026 | Women's Hockey
Wisconsin plays Bemdji in a best-of-three series
MADISON, Wis. - The No.1 Wisconsin women’s hockey team hosts the first round of WCHA playoffs in a best-of-three series against the Bemidji State Beavers.
The Badgers and Beavers will battle it out on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 26 and 27. Friday’s game will be at 6 p.m. and Saturday’s at 3 p.m. (CT). If a third game is needed, the teams will play on Sunday.
Fans can watch the action on Big Ten Plus or listen to Paul Braun on The Game 1070 AM.
Here are five things to know about the series
1. WCHA CHAMPS
The Badgers were named WCHA regular-season champions after their sweep against St. Cloud State. The Huskies traveled to LaBahn this past weekend, where UW beat them 9-2 and 4-2.
During Saturday’s game, both Kelly Gorbatenko and Lacey Eden scored hat tricks - with Gorbatenko becoming the ninth Badger to score four goals in one game. Freshman Charlotte Pieckenhagen collected two goals and junior Laney Potter had four points from four assists. Eden’s goal in the second period was her 100th career goal, joining UW legends Hilary Knight, Meghan Duggan and Brianna Decker.
The streak continued on Saturday, where UW shined again, with freshman Mackenzie Jones scored her first career goal. Potter, Eden and Cassie Hall joined the scoring party as well. Saturday’s win secured the Badgers their 11th regular-season title.
2. MEDALED BADGERS
The Olympic gold medal game between Team USA and Team Canada featured Badgers on both sides. Between the two teams, 11 Badgers were represented.
In an overtime matchup, the United States came out on top with Caroline Harvey, Kirsten Simms, Laila Edwards, Hilary Knight, Britta Curl-Salemme and Ava McNaughton receiving gold medals. Harvey earn the Olympic MVP award after her outstanding tournament of two goals and seven assists.
Canadian Badgers, Emily Clark, Ann Renee Desbiens, Blayre Turnbull, Sarah Nurse and Daryl Watts received silver medals.
Former Badger and assistant coach of Switzerland, Cyndy Kenyon, earned the bronze medal.
3. AGAINST THE BEAVERS
Wisconsin and Bemidji have met for four games this season. UW opened their season against the Beavers on Sep. 26 and 27 where they collected their first series sweep with a 9-2 and 5-0 win.
Maggie Scannell collected her first career hat trick and freshmen Adéla Šapovalivová and Charlotte Pieckenhagen scored their first career goals.
The two teams played each other again in January of this year where UW gathered another sweep.
The Badgers defeated the Beavers, 10-3 and 6-1. Captain Caroline Harvey collected her first career hat trick in game one. Kirsten Simms, Lacey Eden, and Claire Enright all had multi-goal weekends.
4. FINAL FACEOFF FUN
If UW is to advance in the tournament, the team will play at the WCHA Kwik Trip Final Faceoff in St. Paul, Minn.
The Badgers are the 2024-25 winners and are looking for a back-to-back win.
St. Thomas is hosting the final round of play on Wednesday, March 5, through Saturday, March 7, at the Lee and Penny Ice Arena.
Wisconsin has won the tournament 11 times in program history.
The Badgers are well represented in this year's All-WCHA teams! ??
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) February 26, 2026
1??st Team: Lacey Eden, Caroline Harvey
2??nd Team: Laila Edwards, Ava McNaughton, Kirsten Simms
3??rd Team: Cassie Hall, Vivian Jungels pic.twitter.com/zRFLfsfnsd
5. LEAGUE'S BEST
Seven members of the Wisconsin women's hockey team were named to the 2025-26 All-WCHA teams, the conference announced on Thursday.
Co-captains Lacey Eden and Caroline Harvey were named to the all-conference First Team. Eden currently leads the nation in points with 68, and makes the First Team for the first time in her career. Harvey is now a four-time conference honoree after making the All-WCHA Second and Rookie Teams her freshman year, and the First Team in every subsequent year.
Laila Edwards, Ava McNaughton and Kirsten Simms all earned Second Team placements, all of whom have received the honor before.
Casse Hall and Vivian Jungels placed on the Third Team, becoming all-conference honorees for the first time in their career.
