Columbus Buckeyes Punch Ticket to Women's Hockey Regional Final

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State women's ice hockey team clinched a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament regional finals, powering through the Columbus Regional as the No. 1 overall seed. With a stellar 34-4-0 record and 24-4-0 mark in WCHA play, the Buckeyes hosted Minnesota Duluth and Yale at the OSU Ice Rink March 12-14, setting up a regional final clash against the Bulldogs on Saturday, March 14 at 6 p.m. EST. The victory sends Ohio State one win from the Frozen Four, electrifying Columbus hockey faithful who filled the rink for the home-hosted spectacle.

Ohio State's top seeding reflects their season-long dominance, blending elite offense and airtight defense in the competitive WCHA conference. The Buckeyes dispatched their semifinal opponent to reach the final, where they'll confront Yale in a matchup previewed as a marquee battle between the nation's best and a gritty underdog. Local fans, from Dublin suburbs to downtown Columbus bars, buzz with excitement, many tailgating near Nationwide Arena before trekking to campus.

This regional triumph marks a pinnacle for Buckeye women's hockey in Columbus, where the OSU Ice Rink becomes a fortress during March madness. Coach's strategy emphasized home-ice advantage, with the team's depth shining in tight games against WCHA rivals. A win Saturday propels Ohio State toward national contention, boosting morale across Ohio's hockey hotbeds like Cleveland and Toledo.