The 9th-ranked UMD women’s hockey team is gearing up for a key WCHA series against #2 Ohio State, but will be without Ida Karlsson and Thea Johansson due to their participation in the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The Buckeyes also have participants in the Winter Games, so each team will have big shoes to fill in their lineups.

“Everyone’s rosters are going to look different. Their [Ohio State] lineups are going to look different as is ours, and you know, I think this past week was probably important for everybody to try to just see different line combinations where chemistry might also be, but at the same time exciting because it’s a great opportunity for some other people to showcase what they can do on different lines and in different roles and in different positions,” said UMD Head Coach Laura Schuler.

UMD has lost four in a row to the Buckeyes stretching back to last season. Their two most recent losses came on November 21 and 22, 2025 at AMSOIL Arena.

Puck drop from Columbus is set for 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 30.

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