Analysis: Wisconsin's Championship Run & Big Ten Hockey Season Review

Big Ten

Men’s Hockey

Analysis: Wisconsin's Championship Run & Big Ten Hockey Season Review (_LQhtCunqPo)

National Championship Preview with Wisconsin's Daniel Hauser | Big Ten Hockey

National Championship Preview with Wisconsin's Daniel Hauser | Big Ten Hockey (z4vAaslUlrI)

Big Ten Conference

East

Michigan Wolverines

Michigan

Michigan Wolverines Men’s Hockey team

Highlights & Analysis: Michigan Wins Big Ten Hockey Tournament Championship

Highlights & Analysis: Michigan Wins Big Ten Hockey Tournament Championship (oPSjOK8WYqs)

Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State

Ohio State Buckeyes Men’s Hockey team

Ohio State vs. Michigan | EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS | 2026 Big Ten Hockey Tournament Championship

Box Score

Ann Arbor, MI (B1G Championship)

2026-03-22 | Men's Hockey | Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines | #44218 | COMPLETE

Ohio State vs. Michigan | EXTENDED HIGHLIGHTS | 2026 Big Ten Hockey Tournament Championship (4xuZYjoB4TA)

Ohio State vs. Michigan | HIGHLIGHTS | 2026 Big Ten Hockey Tournament Championship | 03/21/26

Ohio State vs. Michigan | HIGHLIGHTS | 2026 Big Ten Hockey Tournament Championship | 03/21/26 (p5ylS_L2CAE)

West

Wisconsin Badgers

Wisconsin

Wisconsin Badgers Men’s Hockey team

Ben Dexheimer Post-National Championship Interview | Wisconsin Men's Hockey

Ben Dexheimer Post-National Championship Interview | Wisconsin Men's Hockey (QFANb9qdieE)

Wisconsin's remarkable run to the championship game | Big Ten Hockey

Wisconsin's remarkable run to the championship game | Big Ten Hockey (349bd3rCc-E)

Mike Hastingsh reflects on proud playoff run after tough loss | Wisconsin Hockey

Mike Hastingsh reflects on proud playoff run after tough loss | Wisconsin Hockey (QKPdxN01jyA)

Big Ten hockey's rise and Wisconsin's historic run | Big Ten Hockey

Big Ten hockey's rise and Wisconsin's historic run | Big Ten Hockey (zvNnSNsYing)

Wisconsin's rapid rise to national championship game | Big Ten Hockey

Wisconsin's rapid rise to national championship game | Big Ten Hockey (NE0jC3_yWi4)

Wisconsin Hockey

A season defined by resilience and a run to the national championship game.

This team showed what it means to wear the W.

We felt the love. We'll be back.

Relive the postseason run with Episode 6 of All Access.

Full episode: https://t.co/o61L7rCG0z https://t.co/Obagj5NDIn

Tweet 2044929331705606232

Wisconsin Hockey(21319189)

Michigan State Hockey

Michigan State

Congratulations to our 2026 Team Award recipients! https://t.co/WZ4jahNwEe

Tweet 2044911992889102405

Michigan State Hockey(58803348)

A heck of a month for senior captain @BenDexheimer 

Capping it off with Hockey Commissioners’ Association National Defender of the Month

The highlights
- Frozen Four All-Tournament
- Worcester Regional All-Tournament
- OT-winning goal scorer to send UW to the Frozen Four
- https://t.co/ZEtStSx6Ch

Tweet 2044907891618947156

Notre Dame Hockey

Notre Dame

Notre Dame (OH)

The future is bright in South Bend 

The NHL Central Scouting final rankings are out and the North American skaters list features SIX Irish signees ahead of the 2026 NHL Entry Draft ☘️

#GoIrish https://t.co/cFJFuDXphE

Tweet 2044873154682609917

Ohio State Men's Hockey

National honors for Jake 🤩 

📰 https://t.co/NoDr9CBoyZ https://t.co/XSpMD8qTZL

Tweet 2044857326574731285

Ohio State Men's Hockey(26773650)

Michigan Hockey

Another award for T.J. Hughes! 

He is your National co-Player of the Month with 10 points in a six-game postseason run!

More &gt;&gt; https://t.co/3uDzYWUi4n https://t.co/ioSgJlO0RJ

Tweet 2044854165659136078

Michigan Hockey(21777967)

Congrats Tyler Duke, on signing with Wilkes-Barre! 

More &gt;&gt; https://t.co/JksSNMkfXt https://t.co/NpPPnjS5h1

Tweet 2044836428371165263

Tweet 2044831479633481831

In one season with the Irish, Sutter Muzzatti had more highlight reel plays than we could count and finished second in points with 32 (13-19-22). 

He is this year's team MVP, as voted on by the team. Congrats, Sutter!

#GoIrish https://t.co/bk5zqRXe6k

Tweet 2044831130306646325

Mr. Versatilty is headed to Pennsylvania!!!

Congrats @jackhorbach on the AHL deal

Contract begins for the 2026-27 season

#onceabadgeralwaysabadger

Read More 👇
https://t.co/NvnQI05t73 https://t.co/UkGpKcSMU7

Tweet 2044829698182598659

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. – Three hockey players from the Big Ten Conference have been recognized with national monthly awards. Michigan senior TJ Hughes was tabbed Co-Forward, Wisconsin senior Ben Dexheimer chosen Defender and Ohio State forward Jake Karabela cited as Co-Rookie for the combined months of March and April. The awards are presented by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA). Hughes compiled four goals and six assists for 10 points in six games during the last two months of the season. He was named Big Ten Player of the Year and a AHCA All-American. Dexheimer amassed a goal, five assists and six points in seven games in captaining the Badgers to the NCAA Championship Game. He was an All-Big Ten First Team selection. Karabela totaled four goals and five assists for nine points in five games, helping the Buckeyes advance to the Big Ten Tournament Championship Final. Karabela was selected to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team. The Big Ten had winners for every month the 2025-26 HCA Awards were presented, receiving 11 selections overall. Below is a list of Big Ten recipients for the season: October Co-Forward: JJ Wiebusch, Penn State Co-Defender: Ben Robertson, Michigan Rookie: Gavin McKenna, Penn State November Forward: Will Horcoff, Michigan December Goalie: Jack Ivankovic, Michigan Rookie: Anthony Romani, Michigan State January Co-Rookie: Josh Fleming, Penn State February Rookie: Gavin McKenna, Penn State March/April Co-Forward: TJ Hughes, Michigan Defender: Ben Dexheimer, Wisconsin Co-Rookie: Jake Karabela, Ohio State </div>

HCA (March-April)

B1G_News_Feed_Logo.svg

Three Big Ten Players Earn HCA Monthly Awards Honors

<div class="payload-richtext">Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/Final-1.PDF">
 BOX SCORE
 </a> LAS VEGAS – Wisconsin’s run in the NCAA Hockey Tournament came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Denver in the NCAA Championship Game, played before a sellout crowd of 17,849 at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday. Wisconsin (24-13-2), which had defeated a pair of No. 1 seeds to make the final, held a 1-0 lead after two periods before Denver scored twice in the third period to pull out the win. Vasily Zelenov scored for the Badgers and was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team along with teammate defenseman Ben Dexheimer. Wisconsin finished with a 30-15 advantage in shots as it made its ninth appearance all-time in the championship game.</div>

Wisconsin HK (Frozen Four)

Wisconsin Falls in NCAA Hockey Championship Game

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/print/icehockey-men/d1/2026">
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 </a> | <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/BIG%20TEN%20RECORDS-R.pdf">
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 #1 Michigan State d. #4 Connecticut, 2-1 
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 #3 Wisconsin d. #2 Dartmouth, 5-1
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 Albany Regional (MVP Arena)
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 #1 Michigan d. #4 Bentley, 5-1
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 Albany Regional (MVP Arena)
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 #2 Minnesota Duluth d. #3 Penn State, 3-1
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 Regional Finals
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 #3 Wisconsin d. #1 Michigan State, 4-3 (OT)
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 Albany Regional (MVP Arena)
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 #1 Michigan d. #2 Minnesota Duluth, 4-3
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 Frozen Four
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 #3 Wisconsin d. #1 North Dakota, 2-1
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 Thursday, April 9
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 <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/SF1.PDF">
 Box Score
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 Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena)
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 #2 Denver d. #1 Michigan, 4-3 (2OT)
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 Thursday, April 9
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 8:30 p.m. ET
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 <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/SF2.PDF">
 Box Score
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 Las Vegas (T-Mobile Arena)
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 #2 Denver d. #3 Wisconsin, 2-1
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 Saturday, April 11
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 <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/Final.PDF">
 Box Score
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 </td>
 
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 </div> </div>

Frozen Four Logo

2026 NCAA Hockey Tournament Central

<div class="payload-richtext">LAS VEGAS – Five Big Ten hockey players achieved national recognition at the "Friday Night at the Frozen Four" awards ceremony, held in conjunction with the Hobey Baker Memorial Awards presentation at the Park MGM Presidio Ballroom. Junior goaltender Trey Augustine of Michigan State received the Mike Richter Award, presented by the Hockey Commissioners Association. The award honors the top goaltender in collegiate hockey. Augustine led Big Ten goaltenders with a 2.11 goals-against average and .929 save percentage while posting a 24-9-1 record in 34 games. Augustine was named Big Ten Goaltender of the Year (for the second-straight season), earned All-Big Ten First Team honors and was named Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Worcester Regional. Augustine becomes the fourth Big Ten netminder to win the Richter Award, joining Wisconsin’s Kyle McClellan (2024), Minnesota’s Jack LaFontaine (2021) and Notre Dame’s Cale Morris (2018). Augustine was also one of five players who received AHCA/CCM All-America recognition. He was joined on the West First Team by Michigan State freshman forward Porter Martone and Michigan senior TJ Hughes. Michigan State senior forward Charlie Stramel and Penn State freshman forward Gavin McKenna were chosen to the West Second Team.</div>

All-Americans (HK)

Big Ten Players Honored with National Awards

<div class="payload-richtext">Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Athletics <a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/print/icehockey-men/d1/2026">
 BRACKET
 </a> LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Wisconsin has advanced to the NCAA Championship Game after defeating No. 1 seed North Dakota, 2-1, Thursday at the NCAA Semifinals in T-Mobile Arena. Wisconsin, which returns to the finals for the first time since 2010, will take on Denver of the NCHC at 5:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPN. Wisconsin (24-12-2) scored twice in the first period on goals from Simon Tassy and Ryan Botterill and received outstanding goaltending from freshman Daniel Hauser, who stopped several point-blank shots. The Badgers become the fourth Big Ten team to reach the championship game and will look for their seventh title in program history. Denver downed Michigan, 4-3, in double overtime in the second semifinal. Top-ranked Michigan (31-8-1) received goals from Josh Eernisse, TJ Hughes, and Jayden Perron as the Wolverines finished with a 52-26 shot advantage. Denver freshman goaltender Johnny Hicks made 49 saves on the night.</div>

Wisconsin Advances

Wisconsin Moves on to NCAA Hockey Championship Game

Adam Nightingale (Team USA)

MSU's Nightingale Named Head Coach of 2027 U.S. National Junior Team

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/HK%20Release%20(April%207).pdf">
 OFFICIAL RELEASE
 </a> • The Big Ten Conference has advanced two teams to the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four, to be held April 9 and April 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thursday’s semifinals will pair No. 12/4 Wisconsin against No. 2/2 North Dakota at 5 p.m. ET, followed by No. 4/3 Denver versus No. 1/1 Michigan at 8:30 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Arena — home of the NHL Vegas Golden Knights. Both games will air on ESPN2. The NCAA will crown its 78th champion on Saturday with the title game beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. This is the first time the event has been held in Las Vegas. This year’s Frozen Four field has won a combined 33 national championships and includes the top-four schools with the most titles: Denver (10), Michigan (9), North Dakota (8) and Wisconsin (6).  • Wisconsin (23-12-2) vs. No. 2 seed North Dakota (29-9-1) Wisconsin is appearing in its 12th Frozen Four, having captured its last national championship 20 years ago in Milwaukee. Wisconsin won the Worcester Regional two weeks ago, defeating Dartmouth, 5-1, in the regional semifinal and upsetting No. 1 seed Michigan State, 4-3, in the final. The Badgers scored twice in the final five minutes of regulation and secured their first Frozen Four berth since 2010 on captain Ben Dexheimer’s goal 24 seconds into overtime. He was named to the All-Regional Team along with Quinn Finley and Gavin Morrissey. Wisconsin owns an 87-73-13 lead all-time against North Dakota. The teams will be meeting for just the second time in seven seasons.  • Denver (27-11-3) vs. No. 1 seed Michigan (31-7-1) Michigan has qualified for its NCAA-record 29th Frozen Four. The No. 1 seed overall, Michigan turned away Bentley, 5-1, and Minnesota Duluth, 4-3, to win the Albany Regional and earn a Frozen Fourth berth for the fourth time in five years. Earning spots on the All-Regional Team were Most Outstanding Player Jack Ivankovic along with T.J. Hughes, Ben Robertson and Garrett Schifsky. The Wolverines are looking for their first national title since 1998. Denver leads the all-time series against Michigan, 47-36-1, with the teams last meeting at the 2022 NCAA Semifinals, won by Denver, 3-2, in overtime. • The Big Ten Conference has sent representatives to the Frozen Four five consecutive years: Michigan/Wisconsin (2026), Penn State (2025), Michigan (2024), Michigan/Minnesota (2023) and Michigan/Minnesota (2022). Since Big Ten Hockey was formed in 2013-14, the conference has qualified 13 teams for the Frozen Four. Three teams have advanced to the championship game as the conference looks for its first national champion.  Big Ten Appearances in the Frozen Four (since 2014) Michigan — 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2026 Minnesota — 2014, 2022, 2023 Notre Dame — 2017, 2018 Ohio State — 2018 Penn State — 2025 Wisconsin — 2026 • Michigan senior forward TJ Hughes has been chosen as a Hat Trick Finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the nation’s top collegiate player. Nationally, Hughes ranks second in total points (56), third in assists (35) and tenth in goals (21). He is also the NCAA’s active career points leader, having compiled 178 points (68-110) in 155 games. The Hobey Baker winner will be revealed at the Friday Night at the Frozen Four Awards Ceremony, to be held April 10 at 8 p.m. ET in the Park MGM Presidio Ballroom. The NHL Network will carry the event live.</div>

Frozen Four Photo

Week 25 Hockey Release

T.J. Hughes - HB

Michigan's TJ Hughes Named Hobey Baker Hat Trick Finalist

Penrose Finalists

Three Big Ten Coaches Named Penrose Award Finalists

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. — Michigan and Wisconsin won NCAA hockey regionals over the weekend and will move on to the NCAA Frozen Four in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wolverines have earned their NCAA-record 29th trip to the Frozen Four and the Badgers will be making their 12th appearance at the event. The NCAA Frozen Four is scheduled for Thursday, April 9, and Saturday, April 11, at T-Mobile Arena. The first semifinal will pair No. 12/12-ranked Wisconsin (23-12-2) against No. 2/2-ranked North Dakota (29-9-1) of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference at 5 p.m. ET on April 9. That will be followed by No. 4/4-ranked Denver (27-11-3) of the NCHC versus No. 1/1-ranked Michigan (31-7-1) at 8:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be carried on ESPN2. The championship game on April 11 is slated for a 5:30 p.m. ET puck drop on ESPN. No. 1 seed Michigan turned away No. 2 seed Minnesota Duluth, 4-3, on Sunday to win the Albany (N.Y.) Regional at MVP Arena and earn a Frozen Fourth berth for the fourth time in five years. No. 3 seed Wisconsin defeated No. 1 seed Michigan State, 4-3, in overtime on Saturday to win the Worcester (Mass.) Regional at the DCU Center. The Badgers scored twice in the final five minutes of regulation and secured their first Frozen Four berth since 2010 on captain Ben Dexheimer’s goal 24 seconds into overtime. The semifinals berth for Michigan and Wisconsin mark the fifth-straight year the Big Ten Conference will have representation at the Frozen Four.</div>

Frozen Four Berths

Michigan and Wisconsin Advance to NCAA Frozen Four

Wisconsin Wins Regional

Wisconsin Wins Worcester Regional, Headed to Frozen Four

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/HK%20Release24%20(March%2024)-R.pdf">
 OFFICIAL RELEASE
 </a> • The Big Ten Conference has qualified four teams for the 2026 NCAA Division I Men’s Hockey Championship after crowning its tournament champion on March 21. No. 2 seed Michigan set a record for goals in a championship game in a 7-3 win over No. 5 seed Ohio State before a sold-out crowd of 5,800 at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich. The No. 1/1-ranked Wolverines received the conference’s automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament and are joined by No. 3/3 Michigan State, No. 10/9 Penn State and No. 12/12 Wisconsin, which received at-large berths. Michigan is the No. 1 seed overall and Michigan State the No. 3 seed overall in the 16-team field. The four teams selected matches a league record set in 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025. The 78th NCAA Tournament begins this week with regional semifinals followed by regional finals. A look at the participating Big Ten teams: • No. 4 seed Connecticut (20-12-5) vs. No. 1 seed Michigan State (25-8-2) Thursday (1:30 p.m. ET) | Worcester Regional Semifinal | DCU Center Michigan State is making its third-straight appearance in the NCAA postseason and its 30th overall. The Spartans are the last Big Ten team to win a national championship (2007). Adam Nightingale was named Big Ten Coach of the Year for the second time and features two conference award winners in Matt Basgall (Defensive Player of the Year) and Trey Augustine (Goaltender of the Year). Augustine is one of three finalists for the Mike Richter Award. Freshman Porter Martone and senior Charlie Stramel were named to the All-Big Ten First Team. No. 13/13 Connecticut finished third in the Hockey East standings and lost to Merrimack, 2-1, in the Hockey East Tournament Final. UConn and MSU are meeting for the first time. • No. 3 seed Wisconsin (21-12-2) vs. No. 2 seed Dartmouth (23-7-4)  Thursday (5 p.m. ET) | Worcester Regional Semifinal | DCU Center Wisconsin is making its second NCAA appearance in three seasons under Head Coach Mike Hastings. The Badgers will be playing in their 28th NCAA Tournament. Wisconsin’s defensive corps was recently honored with Big Ten honors as senior defenseman Ben Dexheimer was named to the All-Big Ten First Team while freshman blueliner Luke Osburn received All-Big Ten Honorable Mention and All-Freshman Team accolades. No. 8/8 Dartmouth is making its first NCAA appearance in 46 years after winning the ECAC Hockey Tournament with a 3-2 overtime victory over Princeton. The Big Green finished tied for second during the ECAC Hockey regular season. Wisconsin and Dartmouth will be meeting for the first time. • No. 4 seed Bentley (23-11-5) vs. No. 1 seed Michigan (29-7-1)  Friday (5:30 p.m. ET) | Albany Regional Semifinal | MVP Arena Michigan will participate in the NCAAs for the fifth time this decade and for the 42nd time overall, which ties the NCAA all-time record. Coach Brandon Naurato’s squad leads the nation in scoring, averaging 4.57 goals per game, and is led by senior forward T.J. Hughes, who was named Big Ten Player of the Year and Most Outstanding Player of the Big Ten Tournament. Hughes (153 GP, 67-108—175) also holds an 18-point lead as the NCAA’s leading active career scorer. No. 20/20 Bentley secured the Atlantic Hockey Double on Saturday, adding the conference tournament title to its regular season crown. Michigan is 3-0-0 lifetime against Bentley with the last meeting taking place in 2012. • No. 3 seed Penn State (21-13-2) vs. No. 2 Minnesota Duluth (23-14-1) Friday (9 p.m. ET) | Albany Regional Semifinal | MVP Arena Penn State has advanced to the NCAAs for the third time in four years under Head Coach Guy Gadowsky. The Nittany Lions are making their fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament, having reached the Frozen Four last year. Forward Gavin McKenna was named Big Ten Freshman of the Year after becoming the first Penn Stater to win the conference scoring title. Freshman defenseman Jackson Smith, a 2025 NHL First Round Draft pick, received All-Big Ten Second Team honors along with McKenna. No. 6/6 Minnesota Duluth finished fourth in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference standings and lost to Denver, 4-3 in double overtime in the NCHC Tournament Final. Penn State and Minnesota Duluth are meeting for the first time. </div>

2026 NCAA Regionals

Week 24 Hockey Release

Larson named HC

Minnesota

Minnesota Hires Brett Larson to Lead Men's Hockey Program

<div class="payload-richtext"><a href="https://www.ncaa.com/brackets/icehockey-men/d1/2026">
 NCAA BRACKET
 </a> ROSEMONT, Ill. – Four Big Ten Conference teams have been selected to participate in the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship which begins Thursday. The four bids match a Big Ten record that occurred in 2018, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025. Michigan (seeded No. 1 overall) earned an automatic berth while Michigan State (seeded No. 3 overall), Penn State, and Wisconsin received at-large berths into the 16-team field. Michigan (29-7-1), which captured the Big Ten Tournament title on Saturday, is the No. 1 seed at the Albany (N.Y.) Regional and will host No. 4 seed Bentley (23-11-5), which won the Atlantic Hockey Tournament, on Friday, March 27, at 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPNU) at MVP Arena. The No. 1/1-ranked Wolverines are making their 42nd appearance in the tournament, tied for the most by any school. Penn State (21-13-2) is also at the Albany Regional as the No. 3 seed and will face No. 2 seed Minnesota-Duluth (23-14-1), an at-large from the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, on Friday, March 27, at 9 p.m. (ESPN2). The No. 10/11-ranked Nittany Lions are making their fifth appearance in the NCAA postseason, having advanced to the Frozen Four last year. The Albany Regional Final is scheduled for Sunday, March 29. Michigan State (25-8-2) is the No. 1 seed at the Worcester (Mass.) Regional and encounters No. 4 seed Connecticut (20-12-5), an at-large from Hockey East, on Thursday, March 26, at 1:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2) at the DCU Center. The No. 3/3-ranked Spartans, who won the Big Ten Championship, are making their 30th NCAA Tournament appearance and third in a row. Wisconsin (21-12-2) will travel to the Worcester Regional as well as the No. 3 seed, squaring off against No. 2 seed Dartmouth (23-7-4), winner of the ECAC Hockey Tournament, on Thursday, March 26, at 5 p.m. ET (ESPNU). The No. 12/12th-ranked Badgers are making their 28th trip to the NCAAs having last appeared in 2024. The Worcester Regional Final is slated for Saturday, March 28. The four regional champions advance to the NCAA Frozen Four, to be held April 9 and 11, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.</div>

NCAA Hockey Logo

Four Big Ten Teams Qualify for the NCAA Hockey Tournament

<div class="payload-richtext">Photo by Paul Barnick <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/Game%206.PDF">
 BOX SCORE
 </a> ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Top-ranked Michigan set a Big Ten Tournament record for most goals in a championship game in posting a 7-3 win over No. 19/19-ranked Ohio State Saturday night before a sold-out crowd of 5,800 at Yost Ice Arena. The Wolverines have now won three Big Ten Tournament titles in five years and a conference-high four overall. Hosting a Big Ten final for the first time, No. 2 seed Michigan (29-7-1) broke open a 3-3 tie in the third period with four unanswered goals. TJ Hughes, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, scored the game-winner with 11:41 left in regulation and assisted on Jayden Perron’s weaving power play tally a minute, 25 seconds later. Seven different scorers lit the lamp for Michigan, which receives the conference’s automatic berth into next week’s NCAA Tournament. The 16-team field will be revealed tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. ET on ESPNU. No. 5 seed Ohio State (14-21-2), the lowest seed to ever advance to the final, led on two occasions during its second-straight trip to the championship game. The Buckeyes placed forward Jake Karabela and defenseman William Smith on the all-tournament team, who were joined by four Michigan players — Hughes, Perron, defenseman Luca Fantilli and goaltender Jack Ivankovic. All-TOURNAMENT TEAM: F – TJ Hughes, Michigan F – Jayden Perron, Michigan F – Jake Karabela, Ohio State D – Luca Fantilli, Michigan D – William Smith, Ohio State G – Jack Ivankovic, Michigan MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: T.J. Hughes, F, Michigan </div>

BTT Hockey Championship

Michigan Wins the Big Ten Hockey Tournament

Trey Augustine-Richter Award

MSU's Trey Augustine Named Richter Award Finalist

<div class="payload-richtext">Photo courtesy of Ohio State Athletics <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/HK%20Release%20(March%2018).pdf">
 OFFICIAL RELEASE
 </a> • “The Game” takes on new meaning this Saturday when conference rivals No. 1/1 Michigan and No. 19/19 Ohio State meet in the championship game of the 2026 Big Ten Hockey Tournament. Puck drop is 8 p.m. ET at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich., with the Big Ten Network carrying the game. The Wolverines are looking for their fourth Big Ten Tournament title, having won in 2016, 2022 and 2023. This will be Michigan’s sixth appearance in the final and its first time hosting. Ohio State is playing in its fourth final, and second straight, as the Buckeyes search for their first tournament crown. No. 5 seed Ohio State (14-20-2) at No. 1 seed Michigan (28-7-1) Ohio State is the lowest seed to reach the tournament championship game. Coach Steve Rohlik’s team advanced with a 7-1 quarterfinal win over No. 4 seed Wisconsin on March 11, then defeated No. 1 seed Michigan State in the semifinals, 3-2, in overtime on Saturday. Michigan used home ice to post a 6-1 quarterfinal victory over No. 7 seed Notre Dame last Wednesday and followed with a 5-2 semifinal win versus No. 3 seed Penn State on Saturday. The Wolverines are 12-0 all-time as the No. 2 seed. Ohio State and Michigan have met three times in 12 years of tournament action: 2023 Semifinals — Michigan 7, Ohio State 3 — Ann Arbor, Mich. 2021 Quarterfinals — Michigan 4, Ohio State 0 — South Bend, Ind. 2018 Semifinals — Ohio State 3, Michigan 2 (OT) — Columbus, Ohio Michigan swept the 2025-26 season series, 4-0-0, claiming 11 of 12 points. • The Big Ten handed out its postseason awards on Wednesday. Michigan forward T.J. Hughes became the first senior to win the Big Ten Player of the Year Award. Michigan State senior defenseman Matt Basgall was tabbed Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Michigan State junior Trey Augustine was selected Big Ten Goaltender of the Year for the second-straight season. Penn State forward Gavin McKenna earned the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award after claiming the conference scoring title. Michigan State’s Adam Nightingale received Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for the second time. The All-Big Ten First Team consisted of Hughes, Michigan State’s Porter Martone and Charlie Stramel at forward; Basgall and Wisconsin’s Ben Dexheimer on defense, and Augustine in goal. The Hobey Baker Memorial Award announced its Top 10 finalists on Wednesday. The Big Ten led all conferences with four candidates: Trey Augustine, T.J. Hughes, Gavin McKenna and Charlie Stramel. The Hobey Baker Hat Trick (three finalists) will be unveiled on April 2 with the winner announced on April 10 at the NCAA Frozen Four in Las Vegas, Nevada.</div>

Week 23 Release (Photo)

Week 23 Hockey Release

Bob Motzko

Bob Motzko to Leave Minnesota

<div class="payload-richtext">ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Big Ten Conference recognized a total of 1,127 students on winter sports rosters who have been named to the <a href="https://img.boostsport.ai/boost-cms/Winter2026AcademicAllBigTenFINAL.pdf" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">
 Academic All-Big Ten Team
 </a> Wednesday. The list of honorees includes 83 men’s and 119 women’s basketball students, 98 men’s ice hockey students, 59 men’s and 146 women’s gymnastics students, 154 men’s and 251 women’s swim and dive students, and 217 wrestling students. To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, students must be on a varsity team (as verified by being on the official squad list as of March 1 for fall sports), have been enrolled full time at the institution for a minimum of 12 months and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher. Among the winter Academic All-Big Ten honorees, 30 had unblemished GPAs: Men’s Basketball  Jacob Koch, Iowa, Sophomore, Business Direct Administration, Iowa City, Iowa Women’s Basketball  Emma Shumate, Michigan State, Senior, Sustainable Parks, Recreation & Tourism, Dresden Ohio  Sammy White, Northwestern, Graduate Student, Sports Communication Cert, Timonium, Md.  Men’s Gymnastics  Jax Washburn, Illinois, Sophomore, Community Health, Portland, Ore.  Kellen Ryan, Penn State, Graduate Student, Engineering, Janesville, Wis.  Women’s Gymnastics  Chloe Cho, Illinois, Sophomore, Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, Santa Clarita, Calif.   Aurelie Tran, Iowa, Sophomore, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Repentigny, Quebec, Canada  Kaia Vanney, Iowa, Senior, Interdepartmental Studies, Redondo Beach, Calif.  Eva Volpe, Iowa, Junior, Public Health, Pearland, Texas  Sarah Moraw, Minnesota, Graduate Student, Human Rsrc/Indus Rel M H R I R, Holland, Mich.   Megan Steensland, Minnesota, Graduate Student, Sport Management M Ed, Chaska, Minn.  Mika Webster-Longin, UCLA, Sophomore, History, Richmond, Calif. Men’s Swim and Dive  Taye Ghadiali, Michigan, Graduate Student, Social Work, Warren, Mich.  Joe Polyak, Minnesota, Junior, Biochemistry B S, Iowa City, Iowa Women’s Swim and Dive  Mary Kate Cavanaugh, Indiana, Sophomore, Finance, Longmont, Colo.  Brady kendall, Michigan, Graduate Student, Pharmacy PharmD, Canton, Mich.  Letitia Sim, Michigan, Senior, Applied Exercise Science, Spanish Fort, Ala.  Jade Roghair, Minnesota, Senior, Neuroscience B S, Iowa City, Iowa  Rachel Bockrath, Ohio State, Sophomore, Biology, Wilmington, Del.   Delia Lloyd, Ohio State, Sophomore, Biology, Toronto, Canada  Caroline Frazier, Purdue, Sophomore, Environmental & Ecological Engineering, Spring, Texas  Elena Dry, UCLA, Junior, Molecular, Cell and Development Biology, Raleigh, N.C. Wrestling  Dylan Connell, Illinois, Graduate, MS: Management, Marengo, Ill.  Charlie Fifield, Illinois, Graduate, MS: Management, Rolling Meadows, Ill.  Taye Ghadiali, Michigan, Graduate Student, Social Work, Warren, Mich.  Andy Hampton, Michigan State, RS-Senior, Media Analytics, Rochester, Mich.  Drew Roberts, Minnesota, RS-Senior, Non Degree, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho  Lucas Cochran, Penn State, Graduate Student, Real Estate Law & Valuation, Perry, Utah  Patrick Adams, Rutgers, Graduate Student, Labor Studies and Employment Relations, Old Bridge, N.J.  Cale Anderson, Wisconsin, Graduate Student, M.S. Kinesiology, Viroqua, Wis.  </div>

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