On Friday night, the UW women’s hockey team overcame Penn State’s home-ice advantage in an overtime classic to advance to the 2026 NCAA championship game. In front of a record crowd in University Park, Pennsylvania, the game featured spirited and chippy play between two of the best teams in the nation — the defending champion Badgers, aiming for their ninth national title, and the upstart Nittany Lions, making their first Frozen Four appearance.
Senior forward Laila Edwards, fresh off a gold medal performance at the Olympics, scored a pair of equalizers in the first and second periods after Penn State jumped out to early leads. Freshman forward Adéla Šapovalivová (also an Olympian, if you can sense a trend) gave the Badgers a 3-2 lead with a wrap-around goal late in the second period. But Penn State sent the game to overtime on a breakaway score with under five minutes left.
In overtime, senior forward Kirsten Simms (you guessed it, another Olympian) quickly capitalized on a power play to send Badger fans — who traveled aplenty to Pennsylvania — into pandemonium. It was Simms’s 100th career goal and a rerun of her overtime heroics in last year’s championship game.
Next up? Rival Ohio State, whom UW will face on Sunday in a rematch of the last three title games. The dynasty doesn’t end here.
Inside Pegula Ice Arena, a Zamboni prepares the ice for the Frozen Four battle between the Badgers and Nittany Lions. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonOutside the arena, the UW Marching Band braves the rain to serenade Badger players on the red — or rather, blue — carpet. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonBucky Badger — wearing hockey gloves, of course — greets some young fans before the game. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonBadgers find a lot of friendly faces at a pre-game pep rally hosted by Brother’s Bar & Grill in State College. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonBucky gets some special privileges — like standing on the bar to lead a cheer — when Badger hockey is in town. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonThe Frozen Four stage: familiar territory for the reigning champion Badgers but a new scene for the Nittany Lions, despite the home-ice advantage. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonGoal! Senior forward and Olympic gold medalist Laila Edwards flips in a backhand to tie the game 1–1 in the first period. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonBadger teammates mob Edwards after her game-tying score. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonHead coach Mark Johnson, who’s led UW to 17 Frozen Fours and a record eight national championships, surveys the ice in the first period. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonKirsten Simms (left) and Laila Edwards, fellow senior forwards and Olympians, celebrate with the crowd after connecting for another equalizer in the second period. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonAfter freshman Adéla Šapovalivová gives UW the 3-2 lead, Badgers fans are ready to head into the third (but not-so-final) period. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonBadger goaltender Ava McNaughton fends off multiple shots on goal in the third period to keep a trip to the finals within reach. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonForward Kirsten Simms prepares to take the winning shot during overtime to send the Badgers to their fourth consecutive NCAA championship game. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonBadgers win! Players rush to celebrate Kirsten Simms and her game-winning goal. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonAll together now! The Badgers celebrate their hard-fought overtime win. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–MadisonFrom LaBahn Arena in Madison to Pegula Ice Arena in Pennsylvania, the notes of “Varsity” hit just as sweet after a Frozen Four victory. Photo: Taylor Wolfram / UW–Madison
The Dance Department is preparing to celebrate the centennial of UW–Madison's (and the nation's) first dance major. Look back at some of the milestones that have shaped the program.
