Wisconsin Badgers
31-3-2
Bemidji State
6-27-3
Edwards’ OT-winner advances UW to WCHA Final Faceoff
February 28, 2026 | Women's Hockey
Badgers achieve 3-2 overtime win against Beavers
MADISON, Wis. — The No. 1 Wisconsin women's hockey team (31-3-2, 23-3-2) advanced to the WCHA Final Faceoff after a 2-1 overtime win against the Bemidji State Beavers.
Laila Edwards' overtime goal clinched UW's spot in the WCHA Final Faceoff, running from March 5-7 at St. Thomas' Lee & Penny Anderson Arena in St. Paul, Minn..
The Badgers and Beavers traded goals throughout regulation, with two lead changes and two ties.
The first period was scoreless for both teams before the Beavers tallied the first goal of the game, drawing goaltender Ava McNaughton out of the crease, before scoring for the first time after 33 minutes.
The game was complicated even further when both teams had a goal revoked. The Beavers thought they had the lead, before a UW offsides challenge made things 1-1 again. Just 17 seconds later, a would-be Kirsten Simms goal was called back for the same reason.
Finally, the Badgers managed to take the lead with less than 30 seconds remaining in the second period, with Adéla Šapovalivová tipping in a Caroline Harvey shot.
Wisconsin held off Bemidji State for most of the third period, but an extra attacker off Bemidji State's empty net allowed the Beavers to tie things up with 25 seconds of the third period, sending the game to overtime.
It didn't take long for the Badgers to answer back though. In unlimited, five-on-five, overtime, Laila Edwards found the puck with plenty of space between her and the goaltender, firing a shot that reached the back of the net just one minute into the extra period.
The Badgers outshot the Beavers 46-12.
Notes to Know
-
The Badgers are now 68-18 in the WCHA Tournament all-time, and have won their last 18 WCHA Tournament home games.
-
Head coach Mark Johnson, is now two wins away from becoming the first ever NCAA women's hockey coach to reach 700 wins.
-
Maggie Scannell has scored six goals in UW's six games against Bemidji State this season.
-
Caroline Harvey is now five points away from becoming the 10th Badger with 200+ career points.
Head Coach Mark Johnson
On playoff action:
"I told the team, it's that time of year. Tomorrow becomes March, and they call it March Madness for a reason. You look at the different scores around our league today, and games that you'd normally say 'they're probably going to win in two, and now they're going to three games. The hardest part for any team is to end somebody's season. You're going to get everything they have in the tank because if they lose, their season's over."
"The passes were not connecting in some phases of the game, whereas yesterday, the puck movement and our speed were better. Part of it is us not executing in those situations, maybe trying to do too much, making the extra stick handle. And then you have to credit Bemidji. They tightened things up big time today and played with that energy and desperation, which you're playing for your lives, so I'm gonna give everything I've got."
Laila Edwarads
On today's overtime win:
"Obviously [we] didn't play our best game, but at the same time, the situations were different for Bemidji. They're fighting to keep their season alive, and we're in a bit of a different position, but you also have to respect that they're gonna come on and give their best game, get everything they got. That mindset going to overtime was to keep playing our game and get it to the net and just end it as soon as we're good.
Maggie Scannell
On the close game:
"These kinds of games are so exciting. It's what we live for. It's what we come to the rink every day for. We're just so excited to be here and to just get better every day. We're such. close group and we're so excited to play"
Up Next: The Badgers head to the WCHA Final Faceoff in St. Paul Minnesota. UW will play on Thursday, March 5 in the semi-final round. If the team is to advance, they will play for the WCHA Final Faceoff trophy on Saturday March. 7.
