Wisconsin Clinches WCHA Regular Season Title with Win Over St. Cloud State

Badgers secure second straight conference championship with 4-2 victory

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Wisconsin women's hockey team clinched the WCHA regular season title with a 4-2 win over St. Cloud State on February 22nd at LaBahn Arena. Senior Lacey Eden scored a goal and added two assists, while Vivian Jungels, Finley McCarthy, and Laney Potter also had multi-point games for the Badgers. The victory gave Wisconsin the conference title and the top seed heading into the WCHA playoffs, where they will host Bemidji State in a best-of-three series starting this Friday.

Why it matters

Winning the WCHA regular season title is a significant accomplishment for the Wisconsin women's hockey program, as it secures the top seed and home-ice advantage for the conference playoffs. The Badgers have been one of the top teams in the WCHA for years, and this championship is a testament to their consistent excellence and ability to perform at a high level throughout the season.

The details

Wisconsin jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second period, with Lacey Eden scoring the game-winning goal at the 9:27 mark. The Badgers also received multi-point efforts from Vivian Jungels, Finley McCarthy, and Laney Potter. St. Cloud State was able to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Wisconsin held on for the 4-2 victory to clinch the regular season title.

  • The game was played on February 22, 2026 at LaBahn Arena in Madison, Wisconsin.
  • Wisconsin entered the game needing a win to clinch the WCHA regular season title.

The players

Lacey Eden

A senior forward for the Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team who scored a goal and added two assists in the game.

Vivian Jungels

A senior defender for the Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team who had two assists in the game.

Finley McCarthy

A sophomore forward for the Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team who had two assists in the game.

Laney Potter

A junior player for the Wisconsin Badgers women's hockey team who had a goal and an assist in the game.

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What they’re saying

“Winning the WCHA regular season title is a great accomplishment for our team. We've worked hard all season to put ourselves in this position, and I'm proud of the effort our players have given.”

— Mark Johnson, Head Coach, Wisconsin Badgers Women's Hockey (Wisconsin State Journal)

What’s next

The Badgers will host Bemidji State in a best-of-three WCHA playoff series starting on Friday, February 28th.

The takeaway

Wisconsin's women's hockey team has established itself as a perennial powerhouse in the WCHA, and this regular season title is another feather in the cap of a program that continues to set the standard for excellence in the conference.