MADISON – The WCHA’s schedule makers delivered the No. 1 rivalry in women’s college hockey at two plum spots during the season.
Defending national champion Wisconsin will face national runner-up Ohio State in the conference opener and during the final weekend of the regular season. The Badgers play at Ohio State on Oct. 9-10. The Buckeyes come to LaBahn Arena on Feb. 19-20.
The series highlighted the release of the conference schedule May 27.
The matchups offer the programs the chance to set the tone for the season as well as set the stage for a season-ending series with potential championship implications.
In addition to facing each other in the last four national championship games, Wisconsin and Ohio State have finished as the top two teams in the WCHA the past three seasons. The Badgers claimed the 2025-26 regular season title in the final game, winning the championship by two points.
The programs have played 17 straight games when ranked first and second in the nation.
Here is how the Badgers’ conference schedule unfolds.
October 9-10: at Ohio State.
October 16-17: Minnesota State.
October 30-31: at St. Cloud State.
November 13-14: St. Thomas.
November 20-21: Bemidji State.
December 4-5: at Minnesota.
December 11-12: Minnesota Duluth.
January 8-9: at St Thomas.
January 15-16: at Minnesota State.
January 22-23: St. Cloud State.
January 29-30: at Bemidji State.
February 5-6: Minnesota.
February 12-13: at Minnesota Duluth.
February 19-20: Ohio State.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Early-, late-season games with Ohio State highlight Wisconsin’s WCHA slate
Reporting by Mark Stewart, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
