Wisconsin Badgers vs. North Dakota Fighting Hawks: Game Thread
The Badgers have a chance to make the championship game on Thursday.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 9: Jack Phelan #8 of the Wisconsin Badgers takes the ice before a game against the North Dakota Fighting Hawks during the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Championship held at T-Mobile Arena on April 9, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Tyler Schank/NCAA Photos via Getty Images) | NCAA Photos via Getty Images The Wisconsin Badgers are taking on the North Dakota Fighting Hawks to kick off the Frozen Four on Thursday, with the game set to start at 4:00 p. m.
on ESPN2 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Initially a team on the brink of making the postseason, the Badgers have made the most of their playoff experience, beating Dartmouth 5-1 in the first round before getting past Michigan State in a 4-3 overtime thriller in the regional final. Now, it’s on to the Frozen Four, where Wisconsin might be facing its toughest challenge yet, taking on the No.
2 team in the field: the North Dakota Fighting Hawks. North Dakota got through the first two rounds with wins over Merrimack and Quinnipiac to reach the Frozen Four, making its first appearance there since it won it all in 2016. But these two teams are very familiar with each other, having played 173 times all-time, with the Badgers holding an 87-73-13 record all-time.
Wisconsin has already exceeded expectations this season, having made it to the Frozen Four in a crucial year for head coach Mike Hastings after the Badgers missed out on the playoffs last season. Now, back in the Frozen Four for the first time since 2010, does Wisconsin have a little more magic in it? Join us as our game thread is officially open!