Women’s College Hockey Series of the Week: No. 2 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Wisconsin

I am calling it right here, this will be the biggest matchup in this year’s women’s college hockey season. This is No. 2 vs. No. 1. This is Ohio State vs. Wisconsin.

Ohio State has rightfully earned the No.2 ranking in the women's USCHO poll. The Buckeyes currently boast a 15-1-0 overall record and an 11-1-0 record in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association conference (WCHA). The Buckeyes’ most impressive wins this season have come against Minnesota, Saint Cloud State, and Minnesota-Duluth.

Ohio State’s points leader is also its assists leader. Freshman forward Hilda Svensson has 19 assists and 31 points in just 16 games,

The Buckeye’s goal-scoring leader has no shortage of points either. Junior forward Joy Dunne leads the team in goals with 17 and is second in points with 30.

The only spot that is weak for Ohio State is the goaltender. Hailey MacLeod does have the tenth-best goals against average with 1.879. However, she is outside of the top 50 in save percentage.

Despite an upset loss to Minnesota in its first game against the Golden Gophers, Wisconsin still holds the No.1 ranking in the USCHO poll. The Badgers also currently hold a 16-1-1 overall record and a 10-1-1 record in the WCHA. Like Ohio State, Wisconsin has had key wins over Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth and Saint Cloud State.

Similar to the Buckeyes, the Badgers have been extremely strong offensively.

Senior defenseman Caroline Harvey has put up an unfathomable 37 points in 18 games. That gives her the team lead in points and she also has the team lead in assists with 28.

In the goal department, the production does not slow down. Fifth-year forward Lacey Eden and senior forward Kirsten Simms share the team lead in goals with 13.

Between the pipes, the Badgers outdo the Buckeyes. Junior goaltender Ava McNaughton is tenth in the country with a save percentage of .937, and she is second in the country in goals against average with a 1.300.

If the Buckeyes want to get the upset at home, they have to find a way to get pucks past Ava McNaughton. The strength of the Badgers this season has been their goalie play. If McNaughton has an off night or the Buckeyes are strong on offense, Columbus will see a sweep.

If the Badgers want to spoil the party in Columbus, then nothing really needs to change. The only thing they need to avoid is having a fluke game as they did in game one. If that happens, the Buckeyes can ride the momentum of a game one win and possibly get a sweep.

Game one of the series is set for Friday at 6:00. Game two, on Saturday, will begin at 3:00. The games will be broadcast on Big Ten Plus.

Max Malec is a first-year student majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email mvm7264@psu.edu.