Overtime Ice Drama Sends Badgers to Title Game
In a historic Frozen Four semifinal at Penn State’s Pegula Ice Arena, No. 2 Wisconsin battled back from two early deficits to edge No. 3 Penn State 4–3 in overtime. Kirsten Simms sparked the rally with three points and buried the game-winner eight seconds into OT, marking the 100th goal of her Badger career. Teammate Laila Edwards scored twice to keep Wisconsin alive, while Penn State standout Tessa Janecke hit the tying goal in the third period, becoming the first Nittany Lion to 200 career points. The Badgers will now vie for the national title after a thrilling road-game performance in front of a record Frozen Four crowd.
Nothing says “road trip” like sneaking into enemy territory and stealing overtime ice time at their own awkwardly named arena. It’s the sporting equivalent of crashing your in-laws’ barbecue, then swiping the grill. Kirsten Simms, fresh off her 100th career goal, is basically Wisconsin’s answer to James Bond—if 007 wore skates and carried a hockey stick instead of a Walther PPK. Meanwhile, Penn State’s Tessa Janecke decides “nah, just one more equalizer” late in the third, because everyone loves dramatic tension. Now Wisconsin gets to don crowns and fight for a title, all while the rest of us scramble to figure out where we left our jerseys.
Big Weekend Upgrade: Badgers Land DL Reilly Newman
Three-star defensive lineman Reilly Newman (6’6″, Lakota West HS) has moved his official visit to Wisconsin’s monster recruiting weekend, May 28–31. Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell and his staff are assembling top 2027 prospects alongside vocal commits like TE Korz Loken and OT Ethan McIntosh. Newman, with double-digit Power 4 offers—including Michigan, Notre Dame, and Oregon—brings coveted size and footwork to the mix. Hosting him with current commits aims to leverage peer recruiting to land this high-profile prospect for the Badgers.
Because nothing screams “college decision” like being herded into a dorm lobby full of other star recruits and bribed with grilled cheese and campus swag. Why settle for a quiet weekend when you can rock a “monster” event that’s part carnival, part boot camp? Luke Fickell clearly realizes that the best way to lure a 6-foot-6 defensive lineman is to create FOMO—fear of missing out on overpriced Badger swag and motivational pep talks. It’s like speed dating, only with more Gatorade and fewer awkward goodbyes. Will Newman sign? Depends if the free t-shirts are worth more than Ohio State’s lampposts.
Top Five Badgers to Keep Before the Portal Outbreak
After a heart-breaking 83–82 NCAA exit to High Point, Wisconsin shifts focus to locking down roster talent for 2026-27. Junior forward Austin Rapp confirmed his return, but the Badgers also need to retain senior guard John Blackwell, senior center Nolan Winter, sophomore forward Aleksas Bieliauskas, sophomore guard Hayden Jones, and sophomore center Will Garlock. These players provided scoring, rebounding, rim defense, and potential upside, making them critical to rebuilding momentum and avoiding transfer-portal poaching.
Imagine throwing a party only to discover half your guests are drafting polite exit tweets to “explore new opportunities.” That’s college hoops in the portal era. Greg Gard’s squad just got evicted from the NCAA tournament and now must grease hinges to keep their key guys from wandering off. Rapp’s got his loyalty badge pinned on, but Blackwell and Winter are still pricing out flights to the nearest NIL buffet. The solution? Threaten them with more late-season collapses or bribe them with free textbooks. Whatever works. Just don’t let them bounce; your transfer portal roulette ticket depends on it.
From Olympic Gold to Collegiate Stardom: Harvey’s Historic Haul
Wisconsin women’s hockey captain Caroline Harvey added the 2026 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award to her résumé, capping a season with two national titles, an Olympic gold medal, and MVP honors at Milano Cortina 2026. Harvey posted 63 points—fourth-most in NCAA Division I history for a defender—and became the only player to exceed 60 points twice in a collegiate season. She joins teammate Casey O’Brien in back-to-back UW winners, cementing her status as one of women’s hockey’s premier talents.
Caroline Harvey is on a trophy-rack-building spree that would make even Santa jealous. Olympic gold? Check. NCAA titles? Double check. And here comes the Patty Kazmaier Award like the cherry on an already overcrowded sundae. Most defenders can’t hit double digits in points; Harvey is dialing up 60-plus like she’s ordering pizza. Meanwhile, Wisconsin’s hockey tradition quietly dusts off its “we did this back in 2011” banner, just to remind us that greatness is apparently a UW family heirloom. Next season, she’ll probably juggle flaming pucks while blindfolded—just for fun.
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