The final weekend is here everyone, and while it’s crazy to think about this season coming to a close, we’re down to our final four teams in the NCAA who are still competing for the national title. The 2026 Frozen Four takes place in University Park, Pennsylvania, and the biggest trophy of the season is up for grabs once more.
We started with 11 teams in the tournament just last week. Now we’re down to four, representing three different conferences and four different states. For what you should watch for, and what might be in store this weekend, let’s breakdown Friday’s semifinal matchups.
No. 5 Northeastern (HEA) vs. No. 1 Ohio State (WCHA) — 4 PM EST
It’s funny, looking back at home similar things are to the most recent Frozen Fours, how similar things are. Ohio State and Wisconsin have faced off in three-straight championship games and are looking to make it a fourth. The Buckeyes and Huskies are back at the Frozen Four at Penn State after they each were there in 2022. And for the second time in four seasons, No. 1 OSU will take on a No. 5 Northeastern team that upset the No. 4 seed.
Parallels people, parallels.
That’s not to say these are the same two teams that played each other three years ago. Sure there are familiar faces from the 2023 Frozen Four where OSU took down Northeastern 3-0 in the semifinal in Duluth, Minnesota. But at the same time a lot of things are different, even if certain parts have stayed the same. Let’s peak at both teams here.
Ohio State
After standing in second for much of the year, a timely WCHA championship win elevated the Buckeyes into the No. 1 seed in the tournament once again.
OSU has it all, and it shows in their top to bottom dominance. A top five power play (27.8%). Their 174 goals is second-most in the NCAA and plays alongside a rock solid defense that can shut things down.
Freshman Hilda Svensson, with 50 points, has been outstanding for the team. This including the game-tying goal in the WCHA championship just a few weeks ago. Then of course there’s Olympic gold medalist Joy Dunne, who has been dominating the NCAA for three seasons now. And I haven’t even mentioned names like Sloane Matthews, Jocelyn Amos, Emma Peschel, and Sara Swiderski. All of whom have long been forces of nature on the team.
What I’m trying to say is Ohio State is the team to beat, no doubt about it. Which will be tough considering only two teams have found a way to do so — Wisconsin, and Minnesota. What the Buckeyes like to do is score early, and score a lot. In each of their four losses this season, their opponents scored first en route to taking them down. There’s no doubt OSU’s not going to let that happen unless challenged and challenged hard.
If they want things to be smooth sailing, they need to tighten up their game play. With 137 infractions committed this season, the Buckeyes firmly have the most penalty minutes of the final four. If they can limit that on Friday, it will benefit them immensely, and keep them fresher for the contest.
Northeastern
Who had this on their bingo card? Following their Hockey East championship loss two weeks ago, the Huskies went to Minnesota and ran over the Gophers. After three goals in the first 15 minutes, NU battled their way to the win, and with it their fourth Frozen Four appearance.
Regardless, it’s not an easy road for the program from Boston.
Out of all the teams here, NU doesn’t have the flashiest offensive numbers. Their 3.0 goals per game on average is the lowest of the four teams by well over a G/GM. Though that’s not to say they don’t have offensive powerhouses. Just look at freshman Stryker Zablocki, who with 44 points this season is the fourth-highest scoring rookie in the NCAA.
Their penalty kill, ranked third-best in the nation at an 88.4% success rate, is top notch. But what will be their biggest strength here is their netminder, Lisa Jönsson, who has been on a tear for the entirety of the second half. The Swedish goaltender sports a .942 SV%, and on average is seeing far more shots than the other three final netminders, with 766 total saves. Jönsson thrives when she’s seeing a lot of shots, and since the start of the postseason she’s been seeing plenty. If she’s able to perform at that high level this weekend, it could dictate an entire game.
Northeastern will need to start with the same power and pressure they did against Minnesota if they want to win. On the flip side, the Huskies have played a lot of hockey in the past two weeks. Two of their three HEA playoff games went to double OT, for goodness sake. Let’s hope any exhaustion stays away for the time being.
No. 3 Penn State (AHA) vs. No. 2 Wisconsin (WCHA) — 7:30 PM EST
This semifinal is what I’m going to call the grizzled veteran against the up-and-comer. This marks Wisconsin’s 17th trip to the Frozen Four, their 11th in the last 12 national tournaments. Opposite is Penn State, who has never made a national semifinal before this year. But who has been on the rise as a new fixture in the top-10 for a few years now.
The Badgers and Nittany Lions have only matched up against one another four times in history. The most recent being a split series back in 2022-23. This is not that same Nittany Lions team however — it’s better. While they’re not at the same level as Wisconsin yet, I do think it’s closer than some may realize.
Wisconsin
Looking at the Badgers lineup sends a shiver down my spine, frankly. The lineup includes Patty Kazmaier finalist Caroline Harvey taking charge on the blue line. Plus NCAA leading scoring Lacey Eden headlining the offense. And all-around talent and Olympic gold medalist Laila Edwards dominating all facets of the game. Overall, this team is absurdly stocked in the talent pool, and extremely experienced with playing at the Frozen Four.
I only named three of their players, and still it feels that way.
Wisconsin leads the NCAA in nearly every offensive statistic. Their 206 goals per game is almost 30 clear of OSU, the next highest team on the list. Their 34.7% on the power play is a staggering number, to go along with the 5.28 goals per game average. Add that to their defensive metrics; An NCAA-best 90.3% on the PK, a 1.41 GAA, and Ava McNaughton’s save percentage of .941. Undoubtedly you have a superb team from top to bottom.
Similarly to OSU, Wisconsin has been defeated by two teams, the Buckeyes and Minnesota. Their downfall in the most recent loss to OSU was two goals midway through the third. Being able to maintain pressure and performance throughout all 60 minutes is going to be key to their success here.
Penn State
For the first time ever, the Nittany Lions are playing in the Frozen Four.
Penn State has been one of the most talked about teams all year. From an undefeated stretch that lasted until after American Thanksgiving. To running the AHA once again. To shutting out a top competitor in the regional final. It’s been an outstanding year for the Nittany Lions.
What stands out for Penn State is their defensive metrics. When Penn State jumps in front, it’s incredibly difficult for their opponent to get back into it. This caused by a 1.32 GAA, 21.1 shots against per game average, and Katie DeSa’s .939 SV%. Tessa Janecke leads the way offensively with 46 points in 30 games. Grace Outwater is close behind her with 40 points, and five other skaters have registered 30+ points each.
In the four games since the start of Penn State’s AHA playoff run last month, the team has allowed just three goals, with two shutouts. This includes their most recent contest, where they defeated UConn in a 3-0 win.
Against WCHA opponents this season, the Nittany Lions are 0-2, with those two losses coming against Ohio State. Of the teams left standing, PSU has the most experience playing their potential competitors. Keep in mind they also played a two game set against Northeastern in the fall. If they’re able to get past Wisconsin, they’ll have experience against either team they’ll face in the national title game.
What they’ll need to do is keep their players out of the box. Penn State trails all three other teams in penalty killing proficiency, at an 85% success rate. Sure, it’s not too far off of the other programs, and they’re tied with OSU in total PPGs conceded. However, any trip ups on the PK could be devastating in games predicted to be as close as these ones.
Both semifinals will be available to stream on ESPN+ in the U.S. The Championship game on Sunday will be available on ESPNU at 4 PM EST. For more NCAA coverage, be sure to follow along with all The Ice Garden has to offer.