Wisconsin Edges North Dakota In Thrilling Frozen Four Semifinal
Wisconsin Edges North Dakota In Thrilling Frozen Four Semifinal...
The University of Wisconsin men's hockey team defeated North Dakota 4-3 in overtime Thursday night, advancing to the NCAA Frozen Four championship game. The dramatic semifinal matchup, played before a sold-out crowd in St. Paul, Minnesota, is trending nationally as college hockey fans celebrate one of the sport's fiercest rivalries.
Sophomore forward Cruz Lucius scored the game-winner 12:18 into overtime, sending Wisconsin to its first title game since 2010. The Badgers overcame a 3-1 third-period deficit with goals from Simon Tassy and Charlie Stramel before Lucius' heroics.
This marks Wisconsin's first Frozen Four appearance since 2021 and comes just three years after the program's last-place Big Ten finish in 2023. The rapid turnaround under second-year coach Mike Hastings has captivated hockey fans across the Midwest.
North Dakota, seeking its ninth national championship, saw its season end in heartbreaking fashion. The Fighting Hawks had won 12 of their previous 13 games entering Thursday's contest.
The game trended nationally on social media platforms, with #FrozenFour and #WiscoHockey both trending on Twitter during the overtime period. ESPN's broadcast drew strong ratings, particularly in Wisconsin and North Dakota markets.
Wisconsin will face Boston University in Saturday's championship game (8 p.m. ET, ESPN2). The Badgers last won the national title in 2006, while BU seeks its sixth championship in program history.
The Frozen Four's Minnesota location added significance to Thursday's matchup, with both programs bringing thousands of fans to the Xcel Energy Center. The rivalry dates back to 1948 and has produced numerous NHL stars, including Wisconsin's Joe Pavelski and North Dakota's Jonathan Toews.
Ticket resale prices for Saturday's championship have surged following Wisconsin's victory, with some seats now listed above $500. The game is expected to draw one of the largest television audiences in recent college hockey history.
