A trio of ranked matchups highlight the upcoming weekend of Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) action, including a faceoff between the top two teams in the nation in No. 1 Wisconsin at No. 2 Ohio State.
With a mix of conference and nonconference play, the league looks to defend its 15-1-0 record against nonconference opponents, while No. 3 Minnesota hosts the East/West Showcase at Ridder Arena.
The WCHA Weekly notes packet, presented by OS Hockey, will be updated every week (PDF Archives).
UPCOMING SCHEDULE - All times Central
Friday, Oct. 9
No. 8/10 St. Cloud State at No. 14 Colgate - 5:30 p.m.
No. 1 Wisconsin at No. 2 Ohio State - 5 p.m. (Conf.)
Maine at No. 3 Minnesota - 6 p.m. (East/West Showcase)
RV St. Thomas at No. 10/9 Minnesota Duluth - 6 p.m. (Conf.)
Saturday, Oct. 10
Bemidji State vs. Maine - 2 p.m. (East/West Showcase)
No. 1 Wisconsin at No. 2 Ohio State - 2 p.m. (Conf.)
RV St. Thomas at No. 10/9 Minnesota Duluth - 3 p.m. (Conf.)
No. 8/10 St. Cloud State at No. 14 Colgate - 5 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11
Bemidji State at No. 3 Minnesota - 2 p.m. (East/West Showcase)
WCHA NEWSLETTER
Be sure to subscribe to the WCHA Monthly newsletter for exclusive WCHA content. Fans can subscribe at the link HERE.
WHERE TO WATCH
Back on B1G+: Fans can stream all WCHA home games on B1G+. To subscribe, download the B1G+ app or visit bigtenplus.com. A B1G+ subscription, which provides access to WCHA hockey games as well as the entire library of events and programming on B1G+, is available in both annual ($89.99) and monthly ($12.99) options.
FOX9+: The Western Collegiate Hockey Association announced that it will have a minimum of 21 games featured on FOX9+ during the 2026-27 season. Fans can watch all eight WCHA teams compete in 18 regular-season matchups and three games at the 2027 Kwik Trip WCHA Final Faceoff. Click HERE for the full FOX9+ broadcast schedule.
GET YOUR GEAR TODAY
WCHA Merch Alert: The WCHA and Game One teamed up to launch a brand-new online store, giving fans across the league access to a wide selection of official WCHA apparel. Get your gear today by visiting the Game One online store at the link HERE.
GAME NOTES
WCHA Tops USCHO Poll: Seven of eight WCHA programs appear in the latest the USCHO Poll. Wisconsin, Ohio State, and Minnesota continue to hold the top three slots, while with its sweep of then-No. 15/14 Minnesota State, St. Cloud State jumped from No. 13 to No. 8 in the polls. Minnesota Duluth follows at No. 10, while Minnesota State and St. Thomas received votes.
WCHA Against the Rest: WCHA teams continues to dominate in nonconference action, combining for a 15-1-0 record in play against Hockey East, Atlantic Hockey, and ECAC Hockey.
Coaching Milestones: Minnesota’s Greg “Boom” May earned his first career win at the helm of the program with a 5-2 victory at Bemidji State on Friday, Oct. 2. On Saturday, Oct. 3, Minnesota Duluth’s Laura Schuler earned her 100th career win as an NCAA DI head coach.
Trick Plays: St. Cloud State sophomore Maria Mikaelyan net the league’s first hat trick of the season on Oct. 2 against Minnesota State. She added another pair of goals on Oct. 3 for a six-point weekend by five goals and one assist.
Strong Shorties: In the first weekend of conference play, Bemidji State’s Hailey Armstrong tallied the WCHA’s first shorthanded goal of the season, against Minnesota (Oct. 3). It was the second shorthand tally of Armstrong’s career, the other against Ohio State on Sept. 27, 2024.
In the Win Column: Four WCHA teams remain undefeated this season in Minnesota (2-0-0), Ohio State (4-0-0), St. Cloud State (4-0-0), and Wisconsin (4-0-0). The 4-0-0 start is just the second in St. Cloud State program history, with all four wins coming against ranked opponents.
Frozen Tundra Faceoff: The WCHA & TEG Sport announced that college hockey will return to Green Bay, Wis. for the first time since 2006, as Wisconsin and Ohio State face on Saturday, Feb. 20, in the The Frozen Tundra Faceoff at historic Lambeau Field.
23-Time National Champions: Wisconsin defeated Ohio State 3-2 to secure the league’s 23rd national championship in 2026, while the Badgers secured their ninth title in program history.
WCHA Preseason Poll: Ohio State, the 2026 WCHA Final Faceoff champion and National Runner Up, topped the WCHA Preseason Coaches Poll. Last year’s NCAA Champion in Wisconsin was predicted to finish second, trailed by Minnesota in third. Minnesota Duluth was selected to finish fourth after its NCAA Tournament appearance, followed by Minnesota State, St. Cloud State, St. Thomas, and Bemidji State.
WCHA Preseason Honors: Superlative honors went to Ohio State’s Joy Dunne, who earned seven of eight votes for Preseason Player of the Year, while Minnesota’s Adrianna Milani earned the WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year nod. Dunne was a Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award Top-10 Finalist last season.
Netminders to Watch: Four WCHA goaltenders named to the 2026 Women’s Goalie of the Year award watch list return to the ice in Minnesota’s Hannah Clark, Minnesota Duluth’s Ève Gascon, St. Cloud State’s Emilia Kyrkkö, and Wisconsin’s Ava McNaughton. Gascon was one of the three finalists and was voted to Preseason All-WCHA Team honors for the second straight season.
For more information on the Western Collegiate Hockey Association, follow the league on X and Instagram @WCHA_WHockey, and online at wcha.com.