(UW ATHLETICS) LAS VEGAS – The Wisconsin men’s hockey team took down second overall-seeded North Dakota, 2-1, on Thursday night at T-Mobile Arena in the semifinals of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Frozen Four.
Wisconsin produced a great start, outshooting the Fighting Hawks, 18-4, through 20 minutes. More importantly, the Badgers jumped on the board early twice, scoring two goals in a 27-second span of the first period to take a 2-0 lead over the Fighting Hawks.
Senior forward Simon Tassy got UW on the board with a snipe at 12:54 after freshman forward Vasily Zelenov forced a turnover in the offense zone corner. Tassy, streaking into the zone from a line change, picked up the puck inside the blue line and eventually finished for his 14th of the season and third of this year’s NCAA tournament.
Senior captain Ben Dexheimer, from the Badger blue line, zipped a pass to sophomore forward Ryan Botterill in stride at the center of the North Dakota blue line, who then snapped the puck past Jan Špunar for the second UW goal in 27 seconds to make it 2-0.
The Badgers’ penalty kill shined in the second period, killing three North Dakota power plays, including a minute and 57 seconds of 5-on-3. Freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser stopped four power-play shots and 12 total shots in that second frame.
Still up 2-0, UW pushed back in the third period, though it killed its fourth and fifth consecutive penalties in the contest.
The Fighting Hawks pulled their goaltender for the first time with 3:34 remaining, and the Badgers held strong until 52 seconds remaining, when Ellis Rickwood closed the game to one goal.
UW survived the rest of the way for the 2-1 victory.
Badgers coach Mike Hastings talked about the job done by freshman goaltender Daniel Hauser.
Dexheimer said that Hauser is a difference maker in goal.
Hauser said that the defense did a great job in front of him.
Hauser stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced to earn his 21st win of the year. The Badgers were also a perfect 5-for-5 on the penalty kill.
Wisconsin outshot North Dakota 37-22.
Hastings said that they won’t have to recreate the Mona Lisa when they face Denver for the title on Saturday.
Notes to Know
– Wisconsin advances to its nine official NCAA championship game with the victory
– The Badgers officially improved to 17-6-0 all-time in the NCAA tournament (.739 win percentage). Only one school in NCAA history with more than four Frozen Four games played is better.
– Daniel Hauser’s 21st victory of the season ties him with Curtis Joseph (1988-89) and Dean Anderson (1984-85) for the freshman single-season wins record at Wisconsin
Up Next: The Badgers will take on Denver on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. CT/2:30 p.m. PT in the NCAA championship game. Fans can watch the action live on ESPN.
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