There’s nothing quite like the magic of outdoor hockey, and when you set the rink at Wrigley Field under the Saturday night lights, it becomes a spectacle for the ages. This past weekend, Wisconsin hockey fans bundled up and flocked to Chicago for the Big Ten’s “Frozen Confines” games, a Saturday doubleheader that brought the Badgers to the iconic home of the state’s rivaled Chicago Cubs for an unforgettable day of college hockey.
The action kicked off with the Wisconsin women’s hockey team taking on Ohio State in a high-stakes rematch of the last two national championship games. With the sun setting over the frozen ivy-clad walls, the game lived up to its billing. The Badgers and Buckeyes traded shots throughout regulation, ending in a thrilling 3-3 tie before heading into 3v3 overtime and, ultimately, a dramatic shootout. While the Badgers came up just short, the spectacle of two powerhouse teams battling it out on the ice in such a legendary setting was a treat for fans and players alike.
Later that evening, the Wisconsin men’s hockey team hit the ice against the top-ranked Michigan State Spartans in an equally gripping matchup. Under the stadium lights and with temperatures dropping further, the Badgers put on a gutsy performance, pushing the game into overtime in the final minute with the goalie pulled. Despite their valiant effort, the Spartans sealed a 4-3 victory with a heartbreaker in the final seconds of overtime. Still, the electric atmosphere and the thrill of outdoor hockey more than made up for the pair of narrow losses.
Through the cold and the heartbreak, Wisconsin fans showed up in full force, proving why they’re among the most passionate in college hockey. The energy in Wrigley Field was undeniable, from the chants echoing through the stands to the awe of seeing their teams take the ice on such hallowed ground.
Check out our favorite moments that made the “Frozen Confines” a day to remember—so grab a hot cocoa, settle in, and relive the magic through 25 incredible snapshots of the action and atmosphere.
1. #1 v. #2
The #1 ranked Wisconsin Badgers faced off against the #2 Ohio State Buckeyes to kick things off on Saturday.
2. Down to the Wire
Despite playing the top ranked team in hockey, the Badger Men’s Hockey Team held their own against Michigan State.
3. Fireworks at Wrigley
Fireworks lit up the sky in the Windy City to kick off the evening’s games.
4. Flexin’ on em’
Sophomore Jocelyn Amos loads up a shot in the first period.
5. A Breath of Fresh Air
The elements were literally on display.
6. First on the Board
Ohio State kicked off the scoring in the first period on Saturday.
7. Hole-y Horbach
Wisconsin forward Jack Horbach photographed through the photo hole during warmups.
8. “Hat Trick”
Goalies rocked their favorite winter caps on top of their masks for the special occasion.
9. No goalie stick, no problem…
After losing his stick, Wisconsin’s goalie was lent a stick from his new favorite defenseman.
10. Thumbs Up
Thumbs up from Claire Enright after the first period.
11. Snow pants
With the ice full of snow for the outdoor game, its easy to spot the players that took a spill.
12. A classic goalie dugout shot
The Badger’s starting goaltender waiting to emerge for the Wrigley crowd.
13. Batter Up!
Nothing like a baseball themed celly.
14. Hugging an old friend
Wisconsin captain Owen Lindmark gives a nice little headlock to former teammate, Charlie Stramel, who left Wisconsin for Michigan State during the off-season.
15. Sticks Out
The Wisconsin Men’s Hockey team lines up for player introductions for their outdoor game.
16. Snow Shower
With poor ice conditions and strong Chicago winds, the rink filled with snow whenever players would shave the ice with their skates.
17. Bucky
Bucky was the only one not wearing pants for the cold Wrigley Field games.
18. 1 v. 1
Wisconsin goaltender Tommy Scarfone won the battle during an uncontested shot from Michigan State’s Shane Vansaghi.
19. Light the Lamp
The Badger’s Gavin Morrissey ripped a beautiful shot from a tough angle to score for Wisconsin in the 2nd period.
20. Saturday Night Lights
The strong lights from the baseball stadium created a cinematic environment for outdoor hockey.
21. Red Hot
Ohio State was red hot against Wisconsin, despite losing to the Badgers in Madison, 6-0, on Thursday night.
22. Fireball
Wisconsin kept the Big Ten’s pyrotechnic team equally busy as the Badgers answered whenever Ohio State would take the lead.
23. Charlie Stramel
Former Badger, Charlie Stramel, celebrates his teammates goal against his former squad.
24. See you again, Ohio State
Although the regular season series is split, you can certainly expect that Ohio State and Wisconsin will meet in the postseason, as the two have faced off in the national championship the past two years.
25. 1.4 Seconds
Only 1.4 seconds remained as Michigan State sealed the deal with their OT winner, making the game an instant classic, even if not the result that Badger fans hoped for.
