Ohio State’s men’s hockey team looking for first Big Ten Tournament title
The Buckeyes are seeking their first win of the season against the Wolverines.
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 27: Ohio State Buckeyes forward Jake Karabela (49) skates toward the puck during a men's college hockey game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan State Spartans on February 27, 2026 at Munn Ice Arena in East Lansing MI. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Ohio State’s men’s hockey team has advanced to the title game of the Big Ten Tournament for the second straight season, and the fourth time in program history. Despite entering Saturday’s semifinal against top-seeded Michigan State with a 13-20-2 record, the Buckeyes shocked the Spartans 3-2 in overtime, setting up a showdown in Saturday’s championship game against Michigan.
If Ohio State is able to beat the Wolverines in Ann Arbor they’ll earn a spot in the NCAA Tournament. In the semifinal game against Michigan State, the Spartans took the lead less than two minutes into the game after Shane Vansaghi scored. Ohio State would tie up the game near the midway point of the period when Riley Thompson found the back of the net.
The Buckeyes would take their first lead of the game early in the second period when Jake Karabela scored on the power play. Michigan State would respond on the power play at 17:29 of the second period to tie the game. Following a scoreless third period, Ohio State didn’t take long to find a winner in overtime, as Felix Caron scored just over two minutes into the first extra period.
The goal was the 14th on the season for Caron. Karabela finished with three points in the victory, and now has recorded at least one point in six straight games. Goaltender Kristoffer Eberly put forth a huge effort between the pipes, stopping 36 Michigan State shots to keep Ohio State in the game in East Lansing.