Heartbreak and hope at the Women’s Frozen Four: Behind the scenes with Ohio State.  Exclusive access to Ohio State women’s hockey’s Frozen Four journey, a Minneapolis homecoming for coach Nadine Muzerall with a dramatic end… See more 

Heartbreak and hope at the Women’s Frozen Four: Behind the scenes with Ohio State.  Exclusive access to Ohio State women’s hockey’s Frozen Four journey, a Minneapolis homecoming for coach Nadine Muzerall with a dramatic end… See more

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota — The atmosphere in the Xcel Energy Center was electric, but it was also filled with emotion, as Ohio State women’s hockey battled through one of the most dramatic and heart-wrenching finishes of their season. The Women’s Frozen Four has long been a stage for the nation’s elite, but for Ohio State, this year’s journey had even deeper significance—one filled with heartbreak, resilience, and hope.

 

As the game clock wound down and the Buckeyes came within a hair’s breadth of advancing to the national championship, the heartbreak was palpable. In a game that had everything — grit, determination, and drama — Ohio State’s dreams of hoisting the national trophy were dashed in the final moments by a dramatic overtime goal from the University of Minnesota.

 

Yet, even in the pain of the loss, the team’s journey is one of inspiration, a story of resilience and hope forged in the fires of adversity.

 

For Ohio State head coach Nadine Muzerall, the Frozen Four was not just another game. It was a homecoming of sorts, as the Minneapolis native returned to her roots to coach the Buckeyes through the biggest stage in women’s college hockey. Having played for the University of Minnesota and later served as an assistant coach there, this Frozen Four held immense personal significance for Muzerall.

 

“It was bittersweet,” Muzerall shared. “I came back to a place where so much of my hockey career was built, but also to lead a team that’s been through so much to get here. I’m proud of every single one of them. I know how hard they fought, and I know this loss doesn’t define us.”

 

Ohio State’s Frozen Four run was nothing short of extraordinary. Throughout the season, the Buckeyes proved to be one of the most formidable teams in the nation. Their remarkable blend of offensive firepower, solid defensive play, and unwavering team unity had earned them a spot in the final four, and they were hungry for more. Yet, despite the strength they showed all season, Minnesota proved to be an insurmountable opponent in the dramatic semifinal.

 

The game itself was a microcosm of the journey the Buckeyes had been on all season. After an early deficit, Ohio State clawed its way back into contention, showing resilience in the face of adversity. The crowd, many of whom were local Minnesotans, could feel the energy shift in Ohio State’s favor as the team fought back with everything they had. For a while, it looked as though they might pull off an upset and reach the national championship game.

 

But in the end, the Golden Gophers’ last-minute overtime goal put a crushing end to the Buckeyes’ hopes. The players, devastated by the loss, took a few moments to gather themselves before they spoke to the media.

 

“We gave it everything we had,” said senior forward, Emma Maltais. “This team is family, and we went down fighting. We have so much heart, and I think that’s what we’ll be remembered for.”

 

Despite the loss, the Ohio State women’s hockey program has emerged stronger than ever. Their run to the Frozen Four has solidified their place among the nation’s elite, and the future looks bright under Muzerall’s leadership. As the players walked off the ice with heads held high, the overwhelming feeling was one of hope. This heartbreaking loss was not the end of their journey, but the beginning of something much bigger.

 

For Coach Muzerall, there’s no doubt that the Buckeyes will be back. “We’ll be back. We’ll grow from this. We’ll be stronger,” she said, as she glanced at her players with a mix of pride and determination in her eyes. “This is just the beginning.”