Week 23 Hockey Release

Photo courtesy of Ohio State Athletics

OFFICIAL RELEASE

• “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.