Day 1 of the Worcester NCAA Tournament Regional in Pictures: Photo Gallery

Michigan State and Wisconsin advance to the next round after defeating UConn and Dartmouth, respectively.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 10:00am

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In the first round of the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament, top-seeded Michigan State defeated Connecticut 2-1 in a close game powered by the heroics of goaltender Trey Augustine. In the second matchup, Wisconsin eliminated Dartmouth 5-1 after the game remained tied 1-1 for most of the contest.

Why it matters

The NCAA men's ice hockey tournament is one of the most prestigious college hockey events, with the winners advancing to the Frozen Four. These first-round games in the Worcester Regional set the stage for the next round of the tournament, where the top teams will continue to battle it out for the national championship.

The details

Michigan State's victory over Connecticut was largely due to the outstanding performance of goaltender Trey Augustine, who stopped 41 of 42 shots for a .976 save percentage. The Spartans' offense also came through, finding the back of the net twice on just 22 attempts. In the second matchup, Wisconsin and Dartmouth remained tied 1-1 for most of the game, but the Badgers' offense exploded in the third period to secure a 5-1 win over the Big Green.

  • The games were played on March 26, 2026 at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The players

Trey Augustine

The Michigan State goaltender and Richter Award finalist who made 41 saves and led the Spartans to victory.

Tabor Heaslip

The UConn forward who scored the Huskies' lone goal against Michigan State.

Ryker Lee

The Michigan State forward who scored the Spartans' first goal, tying the game after Heaslip's opening strike.

Porter Martone

The Michigan State forward who scored the game-winning goal for the Spartans.

Daniel Hauser

The Wisconsin goaltender who made 13 saves and allowed just one goal in the Badgers' win over Dartmouth.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

The takeaway

These first-round games showcased the high level of talent and competitiveness in the NCAA men's ice hockey tournament, with both Michigan State and Wisconsin advancing to the next round after hard-fought victories. The tournament will continue to provide exciting action as the top teams in the country compete for the national championship.