The top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes and second-seeded Wisconsin Badgers will represent the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in the national title game for the fourth consecutive season. This marks the fifth straight season that a pair of WCHA foes meet in the NCAA title game and the tenth time in the league's history. 

The top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes defeated fifth-seeded Northeastern 5-0 in the semifinals to advance to their fifth consecutive NCAA championship game. After a 4-3 overtime victory of third-seeded and host Penn State in the semifinals, second-seeded Wisconsin has advanced to its fourth consecutive and 13th overall title game. 

For the past three seasons, Ohio State and Wisconsin have met in the championship. The Badgers won the title last season with a thrilling 4-3 overtime victory against the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes were crowned the 2024 NCAA Champions after a 1-0 win, while the Badgers earned the title in 2023 with a 1-0 victory. Wisconsin looks to claim its ninth national title in program history, while Ohio State will battle for its third national title. Both teams will compete to bring home the WCHA's 23rd national title.

This season, the Buckeyes were crowned the 2026 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff Champions after a 2-1 win against the Badgers in St. Paul. During the regular season, Wisconsin earned a series sweep in Columbus. The two teams split the second series of the regular season in Madison as the Buckeyes took game one 4-1, and the Badgers won game two 4-1. 

Wisconsin now holds an overall record of 34-4-2 heading into the title game, while the Buckeyes sit at 36-4-0 on the season. 

The Buckeyes and Badgers drop the puck on Sunday, March 22, at 3 p.m. CT inside Pegula Ice Arena in University Park, Pennsylvania. The game will be broadcast live on ESPNU. 

For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.