Social media reacts to Wisconsin's late-game heroics, national title win over Ohio State
Wisconsin women's hockey heroically defeated No. 2-ranked Ohio State in the Frozen Four national title game on Sunday afternoon, claiming its second championship in the last three seasons and fourth in the last six.
Sunday's game was the third consecutive title-game meeting between the Badgers and Buckeyes -- the nation's undisputed top women's hockey powerhouses. The previous results were split: a 1-0 Wisconsin triumph in 2023 and a 1-0 Ohio State win in 2024. The rubber match met and exceeded all expectations, especially down the stretch.
Wisconsin trailed Ohio State 3-2 through almost the entire third period. With just under two minutes of game time standing between the Buckeyes and their third title in four seasons, the team was caught with too many skaters on the ice, giving the Badgers a last-chance power play.
Wisconsin's best-in-the-nation power play attack (35%) was on full display for its first 1:32, as it peppered Ohio State with scoring opportunities. During one hectic chance in front of the Ohio State goal, a Buckeye skater appeared to cover the puck in the crease. Wisconsin impressively challenged the play -- a massive risk at that late stage of the game.
The gamble paid off. The Badgers were awarded a penalty shot, trailing by a goal, with just 18.9 seconds remaining in regulation.
First-Team All-American forward Kirsten Simms took the opportunity, delivered a dazzling move and sent the game to overtime.
TIE GAME. TIE GAME. SIMMS. BADGERS REMAIN ON THE POWER PLAY (0:29 remaining). pic.twitter.com/Hs7d5ODVli
— Wisconsin Hockey (@BadgerWHockey) March 23, 2025
There, it seemed only a matter of time before the top-ranked Badgers claimed the crown.
In reality, it took just under three minutes. Senior Forward Lacey Eden raced into the Ohio State zone with 2:45 gone in the overtime period and fired a shot on net. The Ohio State goalkeeper deflected it right. Waiting for the rebound was Simms, the game's hero, who put the puck in the back of the net, clinching the program's eighth national title.
THE BADGERS BATTLE BACK FOR THE NATTY IN THE OVERTIME WIN đ€ @badgerwhockey takes back the national title from the Buckeyes for the second time in the last three years đ pic.twitter.com/1HMLkuVKSh
— espnW (@espnW) March 23, 2025
The championship victory officially cements Wisconsin's 2024-25 campaign as one of the greatest in the sport's history. The team finished 38-1-2 and national champions. That record includes only one regulation loss, that coming back on November 16 against...Ohio State.
Social media reacted accordingly during the hectic late-third-period action and after Wisconsin's overtime winner. Here is some of that reaction:
The game-tying sequence
Overtime for the national championship! https://t.co/Gx0pQm8Zje
— Karley Marotta (@Karley_Marotta) March 23, 2025
This is a FILTHY move to tie the national championship game with 18.9 seconds to go. Unbelievable. pic.twitter.com/Yn9elx8srN
— Scott Grodsky (@ScottGrodsky) March 23, 2025
Kirsten Simms just tied the womenâs national championship game up at 3-3 on a penalty shot with 18.9 left in regulation⊠yâall should definitely be watching this if youâre not already
— Sydney Wolf (@sydneyisawolf) March 23, 2025
Lady Badgers!!! That was nasty!
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 23, 2025
Letâs gooooo! Not over yet #Badgershttps://t.co/h1oKtDZOsh
— Nick Bruesewitz (@NickBruesewitz) March 23, 2025
OH MY GOODNESS đ„đ„đ„ https://t.co/ixHaadVitF
— Wisconsin Badgers (@UWBadgers) March 23, 2025
The overtime winner
What. A. Game.
— Jim Polzin (@JimPolzinWSJ) March 23, 2025
Lady Badgers!!! Champs!!!
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) March 23, 2025
THE DYNASTY LIVES ON!
Looks like they got the walleye in the damn boat.
— Matt Lepay (@MattLepay) March 23, 2025
IYKYK
Congratulations @BadgerWHockey
National Champions once again!!!
#OnWisconsin! @BadgerWHockey NATIONAL CHAMPS!
— R.J. (@BrachTalk84) March 23, 2025
This is March? https://t.co/HEXuaCXGES
— Evan Flood (@Evan_Flood) March 23, 2025
Unbridled joy. Normally stoic Mark Johnson jumping up and down on bench and hugging assistant coach Jackie Crum in celebration of an 8th national championship. With clenched fist, he also unleashed an underhand punch of the air, not unlike Tiger Woods. It's what G.O.A.T.'s do. https://t.co/mpwbV2Uqp4
— Mike Lucas (@LucasAtLarge) March 23, 2025
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!! #Badgerspic.twitter.com/Zo92SMM6nY
— Andrew Bandstra (@andrewbandstra) March 23, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin Ohio State women's hockey national championship reaction
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