Ohio State women's hockey secured the No. 1 overall seed in the 2026 NCAA tournament, topping Wisconsin 2-1 in the WCHA Final Faceoff to win the conference championship.

Riding a 34-4-0 record into the national tournament, the Buckeyes next host the Columbus Regional at the OSU Ice Rink starting March 12th, where they'll face the winner of a regional semifinal between Minnesota Duluth and Yale.

This marks the program's eighth NCAA tournament appearance and seventh consecutive year in the field, with Ohio State last holding the top seed in 2024.

The WCHA placed four teams in the 2026 bracket, as Wisconsin earned the No. 2 seed while Minnesota received the fourth. Minnesota Duluth and Yale will battle for the powerhouse conference's final spot.

Ohio State finished the regular season 24-4-0 in WCHA conference play behind goaltender Hailey MacLeod's program-record 23 wins. The senior posted five shutouts during the season on a 23-3-0 record.

The winner of the Columbus Regional advances to the 2026 NCAA Women's Frozen Four. The Frozen Four runs March 20th through 22nd at Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, Pennsylvania.

How to Watch Ohio State Hockey at the Columbus Regional Tournament

The Columbus Regional semifinal kicks off Thursday, March 12th at 7 PM ET, setting up Saturday's 7 PM ET final. Both matches will air live on ESPN+.

The 2025 PWHL Draft spotlighted the wealth of women's hockey talent currently rising through the ranks, as the league ushered in its third rookie class on Tuesday night.

With the first overall pick, the New York Sirens selected Colgate University alum Kristýna Kaltounková, after the 23-year-old Czech forward finished her college career as the team's all-time leading scorer.

"Coming from such a small town in the Czech Republic, it's a great honor," Kaltounková said after the announcement.

The PWHL's eight teams selected a total of 48 players across the Draft's six rounds, with 43 draftees coming out of the NCAA system.

Ohio State produced the most 2025 prospects with six selected players, after the Buckeyes won two of the last four national titles.

Of the five non-NCAA recruits, four made the leap from international pro leagues in Sweden and Russia, while one player joins the PWHL from the University of British Columbia.

With two of the eight first-round picks, New York played the Draft's most aggressive hand, trading defender Ella Shelton to Toronto in order to receive the Sceptres' third and 27th overall picks.

Due to that deal, the Sirens also snagged 2024/25 NCAA MVP Casey O'Brien, a three-time national champion and the Wisconsin Badgers' all-time leading scorer.

New York also traded top forward Abby Roque to Montréal before the 2025 PWHL Draft, receiving forward Kristin O'Neill and Tuesday's 28th overall pick in return.

With league expansion widening this year's PWHL talent pool, college programs have stepped up to fill the gaps as the professional game grows.