No. 2 Wisconsin 4, No. 3 Penn State 3 (OT): So Close, Yet So Far
STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA - MARCH 20: A Frozen Four logo puck is seen before warmups during the NCAA Women's Ice Hockey Championship held at Pegula Ice Arena on March 20, 2026 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/NCAA Photos/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images Kirsten Simms’ overtime winner lifted No. 2 Wisconsin to a 4-3 win over No.
3 Penn State in the Frozen Four on Friday night. The Nittany Lions potted two power play goals early in the game, but the Badgers’ power play had the final word in an instant classic. Tessa Janecke did all she could for Penn State, scoring two goals, including the game-tying goal on a third period breakaway.
First Period Penn State struck first early in the game on the power play. Tessa Janecke fired a tough-angle shot from the left side of the net that bounced past Ava McNaughton and into the net: Pinpoint on the powerplay 🎯 #WeAre #HockeyValley pic. twitter.
com/NV6HWYE2mw — Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) March 20, 2026 The Nittany Lions disrupted Wisconsin’s breakout for most of the first period with their neutral zone forecheck, but the Badgers started to find some offensive zone time. Laila Edwards tied the game when she received a perfect pass from Kirsten Simms into the slot and backhanded a shot past Katie DeSa. Penn State answered minutes later on their second power play.
After Maddy Christian’s initial shot was stopped by McNaughton, Abby Stonehouse was parked in front of the net and poked home the puck to give Penn State the lead back: 2-for-2 on the power play! Not too shabby 😎 #WeAre #HockeyValley pic. twitter.