The Wisconsin Badgers and Ohio State Buckeyes are poised to open the conference schedule with a clash that has become the centerpiece of women's college hockey.
Over the past four seasons the two programs have met in the national championship game, each finishing the year as the top two teams in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and battling for the regular‑season crown.
The first meeting will take place in Columbus on October 9‑10, where the Buckeyes will host the Badgers, followed by a return trip to Madison on February 19‑20 when the teams will meet at LaBahn Arena.
A rivalry that reshapes the national picture
The series is being billed as a potential turning point for the season, with both coaches emphasizing the importance of setting an early tone and building momentum heading into the postseason.
Both squads have been ranked first and second in the nation for 17 consecutive meetings, a testament to the competitive balance that has defined their rivalry and kept fans eagerly anticipating each encounter.
The conference released its schedule on May 27, highlighting these matchups as marquee events that could influence seeding for the NCAA tournament and shape the narrative of the year.
Wisconsin entered the previous season as the regular‑season champion, edging Ohio State by two points in the final game, and the upcoming meetings promise another high‑stakes showdown that could decide the ultimate champion.