We're down to just three games left in the season. Check out How to Watch for the links to these games.
(5) Northeastern vs. (1) Ohio State
Friday at 4:00 PM Eastern
Northeastern played its final game at Matthews Arena in early December. The historic venue has since been demolished and the Huskies have been road warriors in the second half of the season, playing "home" games in three different locations and learning to adapt. That flexibility and the bonding that just naturally comes from being on the road and sharing a bus, even if it's just an hour a day to and from practice, are the things Northeastern will lean on as they face off against the no. 1 team in the country on Friday.
Picked third in Hockey East and ranked no. 15 in the first UCSHO poll of the season, the Huskies have been defying expectations all season.
Goalie Lisa Jönsson is going to need to be a major influence on Friday's game if Northeastern is going to upset the Buckeyes. At 6'0 she's a massive presence in the net. She doesn't leave a lot of space to shoot at. She made 54 saves in NU's 2-1 OT Hockey East championship game loss to UConn and followed with 45 saves against Minnesota last weekend in the NCAA Quarterfinal, holding the Gophers to just two power play goals scored in the final nine minutes of the game. Northeastern is going to be tested by the Buckeyes in this game. They need Jönsson to give them a chance and she and the defense together have to keep the puck away from the net front and not let Ohio State get a lot of second- or third-chance opportunities.
The Buckeyes have been remarkably conistent despite playing several games without a full roster of players even before their top scorers all left for the Olympics. Coach Nadine Muzerall runs a tight and disciplined ship and no season in recent memory has showed that so blatantly laid out as this one where her Buckeyes never looked fatigued despite playing with five defenders and eight forwards. They seemed to have no need for transition time when the Olympians left and they came back together seemlessly.
In addition to gold medalist Joy Dunne, OSU is led by co-National Rookie of the Year Hilda Svensson. While the Olympians were gone, Jocelyn Amos, Maxine Cimoroni and several veterans took on bigger roles and carried the team through to the playoffs. And the OSU players have spent basically every moment since last year's Frozen Four thinking about how they let the national title slip away in the final 19 seconds and overtime. They're a group who is driven by a chip on their shoulder and an underdog mentality. Combine that with the heartbreaking loss and it's easy to see what has driven the Buckeyes all season.
It seemed like questions might hound Ohio State and Muzerall this weekend following the firing of Brad Frost at Minnesota. Muzerall is an alumna of the Gopher program and former assistant coach there, but by signing a five-year contract extention announced on Thursday, she quieted all the chatter, reassured her team and put the focus back on the Frozen Four.
Northeastern coach Dave Flint put an extra player on the scout team to play against his squad to help them prepare for the lack ok space they'll experience against Ohio State. From the sounds of it, the Huskies will be a defense-first team. The challenge will be finding the balance to also be an offensive threat. NU has breakaway speed, but they'll also have to make smart plays, hold onto the puck under pressure and not leave their defense out to try. It'll be a careful balancing act.
(3) Penn State vs. (2) Wisconsin
Friday at 7:30 PM Eastern
These two teams met on the opening weeknend of the 2022-2023 series. It was Tessa Janecke's first-ever NCAA game. She scored twice, Penn State won 4-1 and it was officially a new era at State College. The Badgers responded with a 9-0 win the next day, but the ball was already rolling for the Janecke-led Nittany Lions.
Four years later, Wisconsin is back in Happy Valley, again the no. 2 team in the country and set to face off with the home team, but with much bigger stakes on the line. Penn State earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament win with a 3-0 victory over Connecitcut last week to advance to their first-ever Frozen Four. The Badgers are in their fourth-straight Frozen Four and 17th in program history.
Janecke is now a Patty Kazmaier top-three finalist and gold-medal winner and the undisputed leader of her team. Coach Jeff Kampersal said she is the tide that has raised the level of play of everyone in the program, setting new records in the weight room and leading the team on the ice. Penn State dominated in the AHA this year, winning their fourth-straight conference regular season and tournament championship. They all-but swept the conference awards, with Janecke earning her third straight conference Player of the Year and Forward of the Year awards. Kendall Butze was named Defender of the Year, Danica Maynard was named Rookie of the Year and Katie DeSa was named Goaltender of the Year.
They've climbed the mountain the last four years with the express purpose of being in the position they find themselves in on Friday. And they did it with full roster buy in and contributions down the lineup. This is the most well-rounded Nittany Lion team they've ever put together. They proved themselves out of conference, took care of business in conference and are looking to continue rewriting history.
Wisconsin is first in the country in team offense, averaging 5.28 goals per game. Penn State is fourth with 4.26 goals per game. The Nittany Lions have the nation's best defense, allowing just 1.32 goals against. Wisconsin is just behind, ranking second with 1.41 goals against.
Penn State is the fifth most penalized team in the country, while the Badgers have the best power play (and penalty kill) in the nation.
While Janecke was building a new normal for PSU, KK Harvey, Laila Edwards, Kirsten Simms and the rest of the Badgers have been elevating an already storied program. The Badgers have won four of the last six national championships. Four UW players won gold in Milan. The entire Patty Kaz top-three last season was from Wisconsin and Harvey was named MVP of the Olympics. The pedigree is unmatched.
The Badgers are reigning national champions, have the country's leading scorer in Lacey Eden and top defender in Harvey. They've struggled at times this season, but bring in a depth that few teams in the country can match. PSU will test them for puck possession and try to keep them from finding a rhythm. Wisconsin will counter with fast breakouts, a strong transition game and the ability to score from most anywhere on the ice. The Badgers can play some very pretty hockey, but to win this game they're also going to have to be gritty. If they can force some extra opportunities in front of the net, it's going to bode well for how the game is going for them.
This game is going to be won in the faceoff circle and on 50/50 pucks and forced turnovers. If Penn State can stay calm and hold on to the puck, it's a sign things are going their way. If Wisconsin is able to put pressure on and get PSU to cough up the puck, they're in a good spot.
(Photos: Ohio State Athletics, Penn State Athletics)
