Buckeyes Kickoff WCHA Opening Weekend with a Big OT Win
The WCHA officially kicked off last night as the Ohio State Buckeyes (No. 2) visited Penn State (No. 4) and as you would expect with two of the top-ranked teams it was a close matchup.
Both teams lost strong players last year as they graduated with the Buckeyes top D-pair, Emma Peschel and Sara Swiderski along with Penn State's top scorer Tessa Janecke all being drafted in the first round of the 2026 PWHL Draft.
The game answered a lot of questions for both sides as defence dominated the game with the first goal about midway through the second period courtesy of Kaia Malachino from the Buckeyes with a spin-around goal in front.
Penn State came out hot in the third knowing they had to settle the score and they did with Grace Outwater scoring the equalizer off the opening faceoff lighting the lamp just 12 seconds into the third period.
The defence and goaltending continued to be the star of the game pushing opening night to overtime. In overtime it was Game-Winning Record Holder, Joy Dunne burying the OT winner to carry the Buckeyes to a 1-0-0 start.
WCHA Opening Weekend continues, here’s a look at what’s to come:
Friday September 25
11 am CT RPI vs Minnesota State
2 pm CT New Hampshire vs St. Thomas
3 pm CT Ohio State vs Penn State
5 pm CT Wisconsin vs St. Lawrence
6 pm CT Mercyhurst vs Minnesota Duluth
7 pm CT UConn vs St. Cloud
Saturday September 26
1 pm CT New Hampshire vs St. Thomas
2 pm CT UConn vs St. Cloud
2 pm CT Wisconsin vs St. Lawrence
2 pm CT RPI vs Minnesota State
3 pm CT Mercyhurst vs Minnesota Duluth
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