Editor`s note: This article was updated to reflect Wisconsin`s national championship win against Ohio State on March 23.
MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin women`s hockey coach Mark Johnson was in his Bemidji, Minnesota hotel room on February 22nd when a 5:30 a.m. text message woke him.
It was from Jack O`Callahan, Johnson`s teammate from the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” U.S. Olympic hockey team. Forty-five years prior, their team had shocked the Soviet Union in the Olympic semifinals, a monumental upset in sports history. O`Callahan, with spare time after dropping family at the airport, was reminiscing about the moment that forever linked them.
“It was a long one,” Johnson said of O`Callahan`s text, recalling the 4-3 victory over the Soviets where he scored twice. “But it was fun, enjoyable, meaningful, and impactful. It always brings a smile to your face. Then you see the number – 45 years, it`s a long time.”
At 67, Johnson is far removed from that “Miracle.” On February 25th, he arrived at LaBahn Arena wearing a hospital visitor sticker, having visited his daughter Mikayla and his new grandson, his ninth grandchild, earlier that morning.
Johnson understands legacy better than most. He knows teams are remembered for their victories. Had Team USA not won against the Soviets and then the gold, there would be no “Miracle” movie or legendary status for coach Herb Brooks and players like Johnson, O`Callahan, and Mike Eruzione.
Ultimately, teams are judged by their results. Johnson`s current Wisconsin team is no exception.
With their 4-3 overtime victory over Ohio State for the national championship, the Badgers might be remembered as the greatest team in school history. This win secured Wisconsin`s eighth national title under Johnson, who has coached since 2002, and improved their record to an impressive 38-1-2.
Wisconsin is a dominant force in women`s hockey. They had only finished a season with a single loss once before, in 2006-07, and that team had four ties. This year`s Badgers have dominated opponents 221-48, with 25 wins by four or more goals.
They utilize four strong forward lines, featuring elite players like Casey O`Brien, Laila Edwards, and Kristen Simms, along with two-way talents like Edwards and Caroline `K.K.` Harvey. Goalie Ava McNaughton has been a fortress, stopping nearly 95% of shots. Wisconsin’s roster is packed with national award contenders and future Olympians. O`Brien won the Patty Kazmaier Award, the top individual honor in women`s college hockey, the first Badger to win since 2017.
“I don’t think people fully understand how good this team is and how special this season has been,” O`Brien commented.
However, hockey can be unpredictable. Luck and exceptional goaltending can change outcomes. Even the best teams don`t always win, as Wisconsin knows. Their 35-win teams in 2015-16 and last season didn`t win national titles.
The unpredictable nature of hockey is why Johnson emphasizes focusing on process over outcomes, even during crucial moments.
“I call it playing freely,” Johnson explained. “Especially late in the season, go on the ice, be free, and enjoy it. When you reach that mindset, individual performance elevates, and collectively, we can excel as a team.”
ON THE FIRST preseason practice, Wisconsin assistant coach Jackie Crum saw something special. Crum, who played for Wisconsin from 2001-2005 and was an assistant for Johnson`s first title team in 2006, recognizes championship-caliber teams.
“Looking at the lineup, you just think, `Wow,`” Crum said. “Every player can contribute. We`ve never had this depth.”
Even the strong 2023-24 team, which narrowly missed repeating as champions, primarily rotated only ten forwards. But for 2024-25, Wisconsin projected four strong lines and multiple defensive pairings.
The season confirmed Crum`s optimism. Wisconsin opened with a 12-0 victory against Lindenwood and won their first seven games by four or more goals. After a comeback 4-3 win against Minnesota, they recorded four straight shutouts, outscoring opponents 20-0.
“When we don`t win by a large margin, it almost feels like we underperformed, even though a win is still a win,” O`Brien stated.
Wisconsin entered the NCAA tournament as the nation`s top team in points (576) and goals (207), significantly ahead of the second-ranked team (391 points, 207 goals). They boasted the top three assist leaders – O`Brien, Simms, and Harvey – and led in power play percentage (.361) and penalty kill percentage (.916).
Edwards ranked third nationally in goals per game, and four Badgers were in the top 11. McNaughton led goalies in wins and goals-against average, and was second in save percentage (.947).
“In past years, we`ve been strong in certain areas, but this year, it`s everything,” Edwards said. “Great power play, penalty kill, scoring, and we`re having fun. This team is special.”
Beyond stats, Wisconsin possesses intangible qualities crucial for championships. Eleven players returned from their last title team, including O`Brien, and defenders Jungels and Harvey. Most of the team also experienced the disappointment of last year’s championship loss.
Experience from Team USA`s collegiate select team, captained by Harvey, which won the Six Nations tournament, also contributed. Seven Badgers played on that team, and four others played for Team Canada. Harvey also won a silver medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics, and several others have international experience.
“Having a mix of young and experienced players is great because we`ve been here before,” Harvey said. “I remind the younger players, `We`re going for this. Don`t be scared. Be ready for the opportunity. It could be anyone. Don`t hesitate, make it happen.`”
“No fear, just excitement.”
This fearless approach aligns with Johnson`s goal for a team with championship expectations.
“They can play at a very high level,” he said. “They`ve shown it internationally and here. Now, when playing well, can they play freely and not fear underperforming?”
MARCH IS A busy month in women`s college hockey, with championships and individual awards. While Wisconsin pursued team titles, WCHA and NCAA, they also faced award recognitions – and potential snubs – for their talented roster.
“Suddenly, world championship rosters, WCHA awards, player of the year announcements appear,” Johnson said. “This can impact the group. `I should have made second team, first team` – it`s part of it. Can you manage and eliminate these distractions?”
Four Badgers – O`Brien, Harvey, Edwards, and Simms – were Patty Kazmaier Award finalists. Wisconsin won WCHA Forward of the Year (O`Brien), Defender of the Year (Harvey), and Coach of the Year (Johnson). Five players – Edwards, Harvey, McNaughton, Simms, and Eden – were named to the Team USA roster for the upcoming IIHF Women`s World Championship in Czechia.
O`Brien acknowledges award buzz can affect individual and team performance. National team selection is a dream, especially playing for a Team USA legend like Johnson.
However, O`Brien is confident in her leadership and the team`s focus. Individual accolades are not new for the Badgers. And they can`t control awards.
“Ultimately, none of that matters,” O`Brien said. “In the Wisconsin locker room, we are one team with shared values, playing for each other, not for individual recognition.”
The Badgers` experience isn`t their only strength in handling recognition. This team celebrates everything. Reviewing game film, a strong backcheck earns “five minutes of screaming,” O`Brien said.
When a new strength and conditioning intern was introduced, the team erupted in applause.
“We didn`t know her, but everyone was screaming,” O`Brien said. “It`s a funny environment. Any recognition is met with team support.”
Wisconsin`s dominance has minimized adversity, but challenges have occurred. After a 5-0 win at Minnesota, they trailed 3-0 the next night. They rallied to win 4-3.
“I didn`t see any quit,” Crum said. “There was confidence on the bench, like, `We`ll get the next one.`”
Minnesota also challenged Wisconsin in the WCHA championship, with no team leading by more than a goal. Wisconsin answered a late Minnesota goal to win 4-3.
Besides Minnesota, Ohio State has been Wisconsin`s main test. Ohio State gave Wisconsin their only regulation loss on November 16th. After a 6-0 Wisconsin win in January, they met at Wrigley Field in Chicago, where it was 24 degrees.
The game had three ties, two lead changes, and went to a shootout. Ohio State won in the shootout, though the game officially counts as a tie.
“They`re our rival, especially at the end of the year,” Harvey said. “It`s always a challenge to find that extra play to beat them because, for the last two years, it`s been close, 1-0 games.”
The national championship game was even more intense. Wisconsin needed a late penalty shot goal by Kirsten Simms to tie Ohio State 3-3, before Simms won it in overtime.
The Ohio State rivalry is personal for Edwards, from Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Despite her Ohio roots, she chose Wisconsin, following her sister Chayla.
“My family is obsessed with Ohio State football, which I still love, but only football,” Edwards said, smiling. “I always get asked, `Why not Ohio State?` I chose the best fit, so being on the other side of the rivalry is just how it is. It`s funny to be rivals with Ohio State.”
JOHNSON ISN`T A numbers-focused coach. He leaves that to assistants Crum and Koch. Johnson trusts his observations and intuition.
He coaches from a player`s perspective. He understands being a star, as he was at Wisconsin, winning a 1977 national title and All-America honors, and in the NHL. But he also knows what it`s like to be a fourth-liner, unsure of your place, as he was as an NHL rookie.
“I`ve been in their mindset,” Johnson said. “I guide them because, like our 1980 team, you need everyone. Four to eight minutes are as important as 15-18 minutes. What will you do with that time? Embrace it? Own it?”
Edwards calls it “an honor” to play for Johnson. While Johnson rarely discusses his past, the players know his legendary status. Edwards gets “chills” seeing 1980 Olympics memes. O`Brien is often asked about playing for Johnson.
Edwards and O`Brien credit Johnson for making it about the team, not himself. He encourages their individual talents within a team structure.
“He knows he`s not on the ice,” Edwards said. “We have to get it done.”
Johnson entered the NCAA tournament with a loaded, favored roster, unlike his underdog 1980 Olympic team. Any win against Wisconsin, even by Ohio State, would be an upset. Winning the national title cements the Badgers as one of the best teams since Minnesota’s undefeated 2012-13 team.
Edwards believes it`s crucial to recognize the season`s potential. The freedom Johnson wants comes from embracing, not fearing, both failure and greatness.
“When we play to our potential, we can beat anyone and have fun doing it,” Edwards said. “At our best, no one can beat us.”
