Whitefish’s Finley McCarthy is a forward for the Wisconsin Badgers ice hockey team, and now, as a sophomore, is a two-time national champion.  

Wisconsin’s womens hockey team won the NCAA Championship, 3-2, against the top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes for the second consecutive year. The victory on March 22 gave the Badgers its third title in four years and ninth in the program’s history. 

The Wisconsin/Ohio matchup is not a new one; the two teams have met in the final for the last four years. 

“It's always a competitive game against The Ohio State,” McCarthy said. “That was our sixth time seeing them this season and just having lost the last time in the WCHA, our league finals, we were ready for a comeback in that championship game. We knew it was going to be a battle.” 

The Badgers scored less than two minutes into the game off a redirected shot from distance. Six minutes later, Wisconsin defender Laney Potter added a goal. Badger goalie Ava McNaughton made a tremendous glove save against a wide-open Joy Dunne with four minutes remaining in the first period. 

McCarthy said the team celebrated that save as if it were a goal. McNaughton is familiar with Dunne, the two having been former Olympic teammates, and was prepared to face her signature forehand to backhand move. 

“She sticks her glove out and, yeah, we went crazy on the bench,” McCarthy said. 

Wisconsin held the 2-0 lead through the second period. 

“You can imagine that energy in the locker room between the second and the third,” McCarthy said. “We hold onto this two-goal lead for 20 minutes and we're back-to-back national champions.” 

The Buckeyes got a quick goal at the start of the third period and scored again two minutes later after winning a face-off.  

"So, we're tied and they for sure have all the momentum at that point with about eight minutes left in the game and Claire Enright, one of our seniors, third line, puts one in along the crease. Just kind of walks in puts it far post,” McCarthy recalls. “Four minutes left, and we go insane.”  

A current of Badger red flowed from the bench onto the ice, players littering the rink with helmets and gloves as they dogpiled in front of the goal. 

PENNSLYVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY’S Pegula Ice Arena in University Park hosted the Frozen Four tournament, which posted the highest attendance numbers in history. 

Wisconsin won its semifinal game against Penn State, 4-3, in overtime. The game crushed the attendance record at Pegula Ice Arena with 5,176 fans enjoying the action. The arena’s previous single-game record was 1,804. 

It was Penn State’s first time in the Frozen Four. 

“That was the most packed rink I’ve ever played in, and their student section was unreal,” McCarthy said. “It was pretty loud in there. There were pretty clever chants. They were chanting at Ava ... screaming her name.” 

Unbothered, the Wisconsin goalie took the heckling as a compliment.  

Three of the biggest Badger supporters in the crowd were McCarthy’s parents, Cody and Richard, and her older brother, Darby. Cody called the semifinal game a “nailbiter” and said McCarthy played the game of her life. 

“I'm super proud of her and all of her accomplishments and her hard work,” Cody said, “Two for two. Pretty cool.” 

Cody was also impressed by the local support, as many people in Whitefish hosted watch parties to rally behind Finley. 

“It's just amazing,” Cody said. “My phone was just blowing up.” 

McCarthy appreciates the support from her hometown, too, and was happy to hear Greg Harms, general manager of Stumptown Ice Den, say that he watched the semifinal game at the Pin and Cue with a group of friends and let a crowd of strangers know they were cheering for a hometown girl who plays for the Badgers. 

She said it is “super nice” to hear that people are interested in watching her play and are proud of her. 

Five Wisconsin seniors were Olympians this winter: Caroline Harvey, Laila Edwards, Kirstin Simms and McNaughton played on the gold medal winning U.S. team, and Adela Sapovalivova played for team Czechia.  

The Wisconsin semifinal replay is on ESPN+ and a replay of the final is available on ESPNU. Highlights of the games are on YouTube. 

Reporter Julie Engler can be reached at 406-862-3505 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at whitefishpilot.com/support. 

    Finley McCarthy holds the trophy and celebrates with her brother, Darby, and teammate and Olympian, Caroline Harvey after Wisconsin won the National Championship women's hockey game. (Photo provided)

    The Wisconsin Badgers womens ice hockey team celebrates its second national championship title March 22. (Photo provided)
  

  

    Two-time National Champion Finley McCarthy and her brother, Darby, after the Badgers' win against Ohio State on March 22. (Photo provided)