Wisconsin Badgers Seek First Men's Hockey Title in 20 Years

Badgers face Denver Pioneers in Frozen Four national championship game

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:10pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game between two teams, with the players and action broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes of color, creating a dynamic and abstract representation of the intense competition on the ice.The Badgers and Pioneers clash in a high-stakes battle for the national championship, with both programs seeking to cement their legacies in college hockey history.Today in Milwaukee

The Wisconsin Badgers men's hockey team will take on the Denver Pioneers on Saturday in the 2026 Frozen Four national title game, looking to capture their first NCAA championship since 2006. The Badgers barely squeaked into the tournament field but have since won eight of their last nine games, including a thrilling overtime victory over Michigan State and a stifling defensive effort against North Dakota to reach the final. Denver, the No. 2 seed, is riding the nation's longest unbeaten streak and is seeking its first title since 1986.

Why it matters

Wisconsin is aiming to become the only program to claim both the men's and women's NCAA ice hockey titles in the same season, which would be a historic accomplishment. The Badgers' women's team just won the national championship, and a men's title would cement Wisconsin as a powerhouse in college hockey.

The details

The national championship game is a rematch of the 1973 title game, when Wisconsin last won the men's hockey crown. The Badgers are led by a stifling defense that has carried them through the NCAA Tournament, while Denver boasts the nation's longest unbeaten streak and a high-powered offense that has powered its run to the final.

  • The national championship game will be played on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 4:30 p.m. Central / 2:30 p.m. Pacific.
  • Wisconsin last won the men's hockey national title on April 8, 2006, defeating Boston College 2-1.

The players

Wisconsin Badgers

The Wisconsin men's hockey team is making its first Frozen Four appearance since 2015 and is seeking its first national title in 20 years.

Denver Pioneers

The Denver men's hockey team is the No. 2 seed in the tournament and is riding the nation's longest unbeaten streak, having not lost since January 23rd.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This year, the Badger women's hockey team won the national title yet again in a thrilling victory over the Ohio State Buckeyes. Perhaps, history will repeat itself and UW will double-up as the only program to claim men's and women's NCAA ice hockey titles in the same season.”

— Kedrick Stumbris, Reporter

What’s next

The winner of the Wisconsin-Denver matchup will be crowned the 2026 NCAA men's ice hockey national champion.

The takeaway

Wisconsin has a chance to cement its status as a college hockey powerhouse by becoming the first program to win both the men's and women's national titles in the same season. A victory over Denver would give the Badgers their first men's hockey championship in two decades.