After heading into the holiday break in early December on a low note following two losses to Wisconsin, Ohio State’s women’s hockey team has returned to the ice with a vengeance.
The Buckeyes have won their
first four games in 2026, outscoring their opponents 18-3. Currently Ohio State is ranked second in the country, with the only team ranked ahead of them being the Wisconsin team that took two games from them in Columbus last month.
Starting off 2026 with a bang
Following two games at home against Penn State in their return from break, Ohio State hit the road last weekend, taking on St. Cloud State. The Buckeyes opened up the weekend series with a 4-0 win over the Huskies. Hilda Svensson opened up the scoring with an unassisted goal 12:25 into the game.
Jordan Baxter scored her third goal of the season in the second period, while Sanni Vanhanen and Jordyn Petrie closed out the scoring in the third period. Hailey MacLeod stopped 22 shots to record her third shutout of the season.
Unlike Friday’s game, St. Cloud State got on the scoreboard first on Saturday when they netted a power play goal 7:16 into the game. The Buckeyes wouldn’t tie the score up until the middle of the second period when Mira Jungåker scored on the power play.
Less than a minute later Kaia Malachino scored the game-winning goal, and Maxine Cimoroni scored with less than three minutes left in the second period to give Ohio State a 3-1 lead after 40 minutes. Sloane Matthews extended the lead 5:17 into the third, followed by Jocelyn Dunne closing out the scoring with an empty net goal. Genny Klein was in goal for the Buckeyes.
A road trip to Minnesota State is up next
This weekend will see Ohio State hit the road for a second straight weekend, traveling to Minnesota to take on the Minnesota State Vikings. the two teams already met in Columbus for two games this season, with the Buckeyes winning both games.
In the first matchup between the teams on November 14th, Ohio State scored just 13 seconds into the game thanks to Emma Peschel. The Vikings tied the game up a few minutes later thanks to a goal from Ava Guillemette, but Minnesota State couldn’t go into the first intermission tied with the Buckeyes, as Sloane Matthews broke the deadlock at the 14:44 mark.
Ohio State opened up the second period much like they did the first. Hilda Svensson lit the lamp 33 seconds into the second frame, and added another goal 10 minutes later. Sanni Vanhanen’s goal two minutes later was the final tally for the Buckeyes in the 5-2 victory. Taylor Kressin stopped 20 shots to earn the victory in the series opener.
The game the next day between the squads had a similar feel to it. Joy Dunne scored 2:26 into the game, followed by Minnesota State responding with a Makayla Moran goal later in the period before Sara Swiderski notched the goal that put the Buckeyes ahead for good less than 40 seconds later.
Ohio State would extend their lead with goals from Peschel and Cimoroni in the second period. The Vikings showed some life with two goals in the first 1:25 of the third period, but the Buckeyes would add to their lead with goals from Baxter and Matthews to close out the sweep.
The Olympics are on the schedule for some Buckeyes
Along with their quest for an NCAA title, a number of Buckeyes will be chasing medals at the Olympics next month in Italy. Suiting up for Team USA will be current Buckeye Joy Dunne, along with former Ohio State players Cayla Barnes and Hannah Bilka.
Dunne was just named the WCHA Defender of the Week after she moved from forward to defense for the series against St. Cloud State.
Other current Buckeyes to be named to Olympic rosters are Hilda Svensson, Mira Jungåker, and Jenna Rauino, who will be playing for Sweden. Svensson is Ohio State’s current leading scorer with 38 points on the season, with 24 of those points being assists.
Suiting up for Finland will be Sanni Vanhanen, who has 11 goals in her first collegiate season. Former Buckeyes Sophie Jaques, Jenn Gardiner, Emma Maltais, and Natalie Spooner have been selected to play for Team Canada.
With the number of current Ohio State players heading to Italy for the Olympics next month, it will be interesting to see if there are any who will not only be able win a gold medal, but also return to Ohio State and win a NCAA title just a month later.
