ST. PAUL, Minn. – The fourth-ranked and third-seeded University of Minnesota girls’s hockey crew (26-11-1, 18-9-1 WCHA) fell to second-ranked and second-seeded Ohio State (33-4-0, 24-4-0 WCHA) in the 2026 WCHA Final Faceoff Semifinal, dropping a 4-0 resolution after permitting three power-play targets in the competition.
The groups traded a pair of energy performs every in the opening interval, with Ohio State capitalizing on its first alternative to take a 1-0 lead on the 7:06 mark. The Buckeyes led 13-7 in photographs on purpose by means of the opening 20 minutes.
OSU added a second purpose on the ability play on the 10:58 mark of the center body. The Buckeyes once more led in photographs on purpose in the interval, this time 11-7. Minnesota’s greatest probability got here with simply over three minutes to play in the body when Bella Fanale fed Abbey Murphy, who skated into the low slot and fired a excessive glove-side shot that was turned away by the Buckeye goaltender.
Ohio State added its third tally of the competition at 6:51 of the ultimate body to take a 3-0 lead. The Buckeyes beat the Minnesota protection for a one-on-zero rush to prolong the margin to three.
Ohio State added its third power-play purpose with 16 seconds remaining in the sport to seal the 4-0 victory.
With the end result, Minnesota bows out of the WCHA Final Faceoff in the semifinal spherical for the primary time because the 2023-24 season. The Gophers enter NCAA Tournament play with a 26-11-1 report and can await their matchup, to be introduced Sunday, March 8 at 10:30 a.m. CT on ESPNU.
Notable
– Abbey Murphy performed in her a hundred and seventieth profession sport, good for sixth all-time in program historical past.
– Hannah Clark made 28 saves in web.
– Murphy led the Gophers with seven photographs on purpose.
– Minnesota was shut out for the second time this season. The final prevalence got here Feb. 27, 2026, towards St. Cloud State in Game 1 of the opening spherical of the WCHA Playoffs.
Up Next
The Gophers will study their NCAA Tournament seed on Sunday, March 8, when the NCAA Women’s Hockey Selection Show airs on ESPNU at 10:30 a.m. CT.
