2011 WCHA Men's ice hockey tournament | |
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Dates | March 11–19, 2011 |
Teams | 12 |
Finals site | Xcel Energy Center St. Paul, Minnesota |
Champions | North Dakota (16th title) |
Winning coach | Dave Hakstol (4th title) |
WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournaments |
The 2011 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 11 and March 19, 2011 at six conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. North Dakota received the Broadmoor Trophy as the tournament's champions, and was awarded the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The first round of the postseason tournament features a best-of-three games format. All twelve conference teams participate in the tournament. Teams are seeded No. 1 through No. 12 according to their final conference standing, with a tiebreaker system used to seed teams with an identical number of points accumulated. The top six seeded teams each earn home ice and host one of the lower seeded teams.
The winners of the first round series advance to the Xcel Energy Center for the WCHA Final Five, the collective name for the quarterfinal, semifinal, and championship rounds. The Final Five uses a single-elimination format. Teams are re-seeded No. 1 through No. 6 according to the final regular season conference standings, with the top two teams automatically advancing to the semifinals.
Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; PTS = Points; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against
Conference | Overall | |||||||||||||
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GP | W | L | T | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | ||
#2 North Dakota†* | 28 | 21 | 6 | 1 | 43 | 112 | 62 | 44 | 32 | 9 | 3 | 178 | 94 | |
#7 Denver | 28 | 17 | 8 | 3 | 37 | 93 | 75 | 42 | 25 | 12 | 5 | 136 | 113 | |
#14 Nebraska–Omaha | 28 | 17 | 9 | 2 | 36 | 94 | 69 | 39 | 21 | 16 | 2 | 128 | 99 | |
#1 Minnesota–Duluth | 28 | 15 | 8 | 5 | 35 | 91 | 73 | 42 | 26 | 10 | 6 | 143 | 108 | |
Minnesota | 28 | 13 | 10 | 5 | 31 | 91 | 78 | 36 | 16 | 14 | 6 | 113 | 102 | |
#11 Colorado College | 28 | 13 | 13 | 2 | 28 | 83 | 84 | 45 | 23 | 19 | 3 | 143 | 131 | |
Wisconsin | 28 | 12 | 13 | 3 | 27 | 75 | 72 | 41 | 21 | 16 | 4 | 129 | 98 | |
Alaska–Anchorage | 28 | 12 | 14 | 2 | 26 | 62 | 78 | 37 | 16 | 18 | 3 | 89 | 106 | |
St. Cloud State | 28 | 11 | 13 | 4 | 26 | 84 | 80 | 38 | 15 | 18 | 5 | 112 | 113 | |
Bemidji State | 28 | 8 | 15 | 5 | 21 | 62 | 78 | 38 | 15 | 18 | 5 | 89 | 102 | |
Minnesota State | 28 | 8 | 16 | 4 | 20 | 67 | 90 | 38 | 14 | 18 | 6 | 105 | 116 | |
Michigan Tech | 28 | 2 | 24 | 2 | 6 | 49 | 124 | 38 | 4 | 30 | 4 | 75 | 169 | |
Championship: North Dakota † indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion Current rankings: USCHO.com/CBS College Sports Top 20 Poll |
Teams are reseeded after the first round
First round March 11–13 | Quarterfinals March 17 | Semifinals March 18 | Championship March 19 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | North Dakota | 8 | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||
12 | Michigan Tech | 0 | 1 | — | ||||||||||||||||
2 | Denver | 4 | 3* | — | ||||||||||||||||
2 | Denver | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||
11 | Minnesota State | 2 | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||
4 | Minnesota-Duluth | 2 | 10 | Bemidji State | 2 | |||||||||||||||
10 | Bemidji State | 3* | ||||||||||||||||||
3 | Nebraska-Omaha | 2 | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||
1 | North Dakota | 3** | ||||||||||||||||||
10 | Bemidji State | 4 | 3 | — | ||||||||||||||||
2 | Denver | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
4 | Minnesota-Duluth | 4 | 3*** | — | ||||||||||||||||
1 | North Dakota | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
9 | St. Cloud State | 2 | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||
6 | Colorado College | 4 | 6 | Colorado College | 3 | |||||||||||||||
8 | Alaska-Anchorage | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
5 | Minnesota | 3 | 0 | — | ||||||||||||||||
8 | Alaska-Anchorage | 4 | 2 | — | ||||||||||||||||
6 | Colorado College | 1 | 4* | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
7 | Wisconsin | 3 | 3 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
Note: * denotes overtime periods
March 11 | North Dakota | 8 - 0 | Michigan Tech | Ralph Engelstad Arena | Recap | |||
Jason Gregoire (22) - 03:11 Brett Hextall (11) - 03:40 Matt Frattin (30) - 05:12 Matt Frattin (31) - SH - 12:39 Jason Gregoire (23) - 18:41 | First period | No scoring | ||||||
Jason Gregoire (24) - PP - 05:22 Matt Frattin (32) - PP - 15:17 | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
Jake Marto (7) - 04:23 | Third period | No scoring | ||||||
Aaron Dell - ( 16 saves / 16 shots ) | Goalie stats | Kevin Genoe - ( 9 saves / 14 shots ) Josh Robinson - ( 25 saves / 28 shots ) |
March 12 | North Dakota | 3 - 1 | Michigan Tech | Ralph Engelstad Arena | Recap | |||
No scoring | First period | 06:15 - Ryan Furne (12) | ||||||
Brett Hextall (12) - 03:33 Taylor Dickin (1) - 05:34 | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
Matt Frattin (33) - EN - 19:54 | Third period | No scoring | ||||||
Aaron Dell - ( 18 saves / 19 shots ) | Goalie stats | Josh Robinson - ( 35 saves / 37 shots ) |
North Dakota Wins Series 2–0 | |
March 11 | Denver | 4 - 2 | Minnesota State | Magness Arena | Recap | |||
No scoring | First period | 10:49 - Zach Lehrke (2) 19:58 - Kurt Davis (9) - PP | ||||||
No scoring | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
Kyle Ostrow (12) - PP - 04:20 Beau Bennett (9) - 08:00 Shawn Ostrow (1) - 17:35 Shawn Ostrow (2) - EN - 19:58 | Third period | No scoring | ||||||
Sam Brittain - ( 22 saves / 24 shots ) | Goalie stats | Phil Cook - ( 23 saves / 26 shots ) |
March 12 | Denver | 3 - 2 | OT | Minnesota State | Magness Arena | Recap | ||
No scoring | First period | No scoring | ||||||
No scoring | Second period | 00:46 - Ben Youds (2) - PP | ||||||
Matt Donovan (8) - PP - 09:35 David Makowski (6) - PP - 13:45 | Third period | 11:56 - J.P. Burkemper (3) | ||||||
Jason Zucker (21) - 01:29 | First overtime period | No scoring | ||||||
Sam Brittain - ( 32 saves / 34 shots ) | Goalie stats | Austin Lee - ( 31 saves / 34 shots ) |
Denver Wins Series 2–0 | |
March 11 | Nebraska-Omaha | 2 - 4 | Bemidji State | Qwest Center Omaha | Recap | |||
No scoring | First period | No scoring | ||||||
Ryan Walters (10) - PP - 14:02 | Second period | 04:53 - Jordan George (16) 10:50 - Ian Lowe (12) | ||||||
Terry Broadhurst (11) - PP - 06:44 | Third period | 18:07 - Jamie MacQueen (6) 18:28 - Matt Read (19) | ||||||
John Faulkner - ( 13 saves / 17 shots ) | Goalie stats | Dan Bakala - ( 46 saves / 48 shots ) |
March 12 | Nebraska-Omaha | 2 - 3 | Bemidji State | Qwest Center Omaha | Recap | |||
Rich Purslow (12) - 09:32 | First period | 11:34 - Matt Read (20) - PP | ||||||
No scoring | Second period | 08:15 - Jamie MacQueen (7) | ||||||
Ryan Walters (11) - EA - 19:52 | Third period | 08:48 - Matt Read (21) | ||||||
John Faulkner - ( 17 saves / 20 shots ) | Goalie stats | Dan Bakala - ( 40 saves / 43 shots ) |
Bemidji State Wins Series 2-0 | |
March 11 | Minnesota-Duluth | 4 - 2 | St. Cloud State | Amsoil Arena | Recap | |||
J.T. Brown (15) (Schmidt, Hendrickson) - 01:42 | First period | 03:30 - David Eddy (8) (Johnson, Gravel) | ||||||
Justin Faulk (8) (Fontaine, Montgomery) - 07:15 Mike Connolly (24) (Fontaine, J. Connolly) - 15:01 | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
Kyle Schmidt (8) (Olesksuk, Bergman) - EN - 19:11 | Third period | 15:53 - Jared Festler (12) (Jensen, Dowd) - EA | ||||||
Kenny Reiter ( 18 saves / 20 shots ) | Goalie stats | Mike Lee ( 22 saves / 25 shots ) |
March 12 | Minnesota-Duluth | 3 - 2 | 3OT | St. Cloud State | Amsoil Arena | Recap | ||
Jack Connolly (14) (Fontaine, M. Connolly) - PP - 07:34 Jack Connolly (15) (Fontaine, Faulk) - 13:01 | First period | No scoring | ||||||
No scoring | Second period | 03:06 - David Eddy (9) (Reid, Roe) - PP | ||||||
No scoring | Third period | 09:20 - Taylor Johnson (3) (Marvin) | ||||||
Mike Connolly (25) (Hendrickson, Fontaine) - 01:13 | Third overtime period | No scoring | ||||||
Kenny Reiter ( 37 saves / 39 shots ) | Goalie stats | Mike Lee ( 60 saves / 63 shots ) |
Minnesota-Duluth Wins Series 2-0 | |
Note: Game 2 was the 3rd longest game in WCHA History and 12th longest in NCAA history, although not the longest match between these two schools. SCSU defeated UMD in Triple Overtime in Game 3 of their WCHA 1st Round series in 2007, that went 11:13 into triple overtime. This is the 1st time 2 schools have played 2 triple-overtime games vs one another.
March 11 | Minnesota | 3 - 4 | Alaska-Anchorage | Mariucci Arena | Recap | |||
No scoring | First period | 19:23 - Sean Wiles (10) | ||||||
Jake Hansen (11) - PS - 12:12 Aaron Ness (2) - PP - 13:01 | Second period | 01:56 - Jade Portwood (2) 09:19 - Alex Gellert (2) - SH | ||||||
Kevin Wehrs (3) - 11:18 | Third period | 13:28 - Mitch Bruijsten (9) - PP | ||||||
Kent Patterson ( 32 saves / 36 shots ) | Goalie stats | Chris Kamal ( 20 saves / 23 shots ) |
March 12 | Minnesota | 0 - 2 | Alaska-Anchorage | Mariucci Arena | Recap | |||
No scoring | First period | No scoring | ||||||
No scoring | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
No scoring | Third period | 02:32 - Mickey Spencer (1) 13:24 - Tommy Grant (16) | ||||||
Kent Patterson ( 23 saves / 25 shots ) | Goalie stats | Chris Kamal ( 24 saves / 24 shots ) |
Alaska-Anchorage Wins Series 2-0 | |
March 11 | Colorado College | 1 - 3 | Wisconsin | World Arena | Recap | |||
No scoring | First period | No scoring | ||||||
Nick Dineen (12) - PP - 05:53 | Second period | 12:11 - Joe Faust (1) | ||||||
No scoring | Third period | 04:12 - Ryan Little (6) 19:49 - Jefferson Dahl (2) - EN | ||||||
Joe Howe ( 19 saves / 22 shots ) | Goalie stats | Scott Gudmandson ( 27 saves / 28 shots ) |
March 12 | Colorado College | 4 - 3 | OT | Wisconsin | World Arena | Recap | ||
No scoring | First period | 11:00 - Craig Smith (18) 13:01 - Podge Turnbull (13) | ||||||
Jaden Schwartz (14) - 10:49 | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
Gabe Guentzel (6) - 03:11 Scott Winkler (3) - 16:31 | Third period | 05:44 - Sean Dolan (7) | ||||||
Jaden Schwartz (15) - PP - 05:48 | First overtime period | No scoring | ||||||
Joe Howe ( 27 saves / 30 shots ) | Goalie stats | Scott Gudmandson ( 24 saves / 28 shots ) |
March 13 | Colorado College | 2 - 1 | Wisconsin | World Arena | Recap | |||
No scoring | First period | No scoring | ||||||
No scoring | Second period | 17:22 - Craig Smith (19) - PP | ||||||
Nick Dineen (13) - PP - 09:27 Stephen Schultz (15) - PP - 13:21 | Third period | No scoring | ||||||
Joe Howe ( 33 saves / 34 shots ) | Goalie stats | Brett Bennett ( 24 saves / 26 shots ) |
Colorado College Wins Series 2-1 | |
March 17 | Minnesota-Duluth | 2 - 3 | OT | Bemidji State | Xcel Energy Center | Recap | ||
Jack Connolly (16) - 06:05 Mike Connolly (26) - SH - 16:38 | First period | 13:37 - Brad Hunt (3) | ||||||
No scoring | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
No scoring | Third period | 00:28 - Matt Read (22) | ||||||
No scoring | First overtime period | 06:12 - Shea Walters (1) - PP | ||||||
Kenny Reiter ( 18 saves / 21 shots ) | Goalie stats | Dan Bakala ( 20 saves / 22 shots ) |
March 17 | Colorado College | 4 - 2 | Alaska-Anchorage | Xcel Energy Center | Recap | |||
William Rapuzzi (10) - PP - 07:30 Tim Hall (5) - 16:30 | First period | No scoring | ||||||
Joe Marciano (2) - 04:39 Joe Marciano (3) - 19:42 | Second period | 14:57 - Mickey Spencer (2) | ||||||
No scoring | Third period | 18:59 - Luka Vidmar (2) - SH | ||||||
Joe Howe ( 21 saves / 23 shots ) | Goalie stats | Chris Kamal ( 4 saves / 7 shots ) Rob Gunderson ( 8 saves / 9 shots ) |
March 18 | Denver | 6 - 2 | Bemidji State | Xcel Energy Center | Recap | |||
Kyle Ostrow (13) - PP - 06:15 | First period | 09:31 - Jordan George (17) - PP 15:55 - Radoslav Illo (4) | ||||||
Drew Shore (23) - PP - 04:15 | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
Nick Shore (7) - 02:56 Jarrod Mermis (4) - 08:17 Luke Salazar (17) - 15:46 Kyle Ostrow (14) - EN - 18:44 | Third period | No scoring | ||||||
Sam Brittain ( 36 saves / 38 shots ) | Goalie stats | Dan Bakala ( 26 saves / 31 shots ) |
March 18 | North Dakota | 4 - 3 | Colorado College | Xcel Energy Center | Recap | |||
Danny Kristo (6) - 02:44 | First period | 17:24 - Stephen Schultz (16) - PP | ||||||
Brent Davidson (4) - 14:55 | Second period | 05:14 - Rylan Schwartz (7) | ||||||
Brad Malone (13) - SH - 08:30 Matt Frattin (34) - 14:20 | Third period | 11:10 - Rylan Schwartz (8) - PP | ||||||
Aaron Dell ( 18 saves / 21 shots ) | Goalie stats | Joe Howe ( 34 saves / 38 shots ) |
March 19 | North Dakota | 3 - 2 | 2OT | Denver | Xcel Energy Center | Recap | ||
No scoring | First period | 05:06 - Dustin Jackson (5) | ||||||
Danny Kristo (7) - 02:32 Brent Davidson (5) - 08:18 | Second period | No scoring | ||||||
No scoring | Third period | 17:47 - Anthony Maiani (8) | ||||||
Matt Frattin (35) - 05:11 | Second overtime period | No scoring | ||||||
Aaron Dell ( 40 saves / 42 shots ) | Goalie stats | Sam Brittain ( 33 saves / 36 shots ) |
The 2008 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 14 and March 22, 2008 at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Denver was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2003 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 44th conference playoff in league history and 49th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2003 tournament was played between March 14 and March 22, 2003, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Minnesota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The 2009 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was an American college ice hockey tournament in 2009 played between March 13 and March 21, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Minnesota-Duluth won their third WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament and the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2009 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2010 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 12 and March 20, 2010 at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. North Dakota received the Broadmoor Trophy as the tournament's champions, and was awarded the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2012 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 9 and March 17, 2012 at six conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. North Dakota received the Broadmoor Trophy as the tournament's champions and was awarded the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2012 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2013 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was played between March 15 and March 23, 2013, at six conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Colorado College Tigers to win their 12th Broadmoor Trophy as the tournament's champions, and was awarded the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2006 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 47th conference playoff in league history and 52nd season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2006 tournament played between March 10 and March 18, 2006 at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, North Dakota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2006 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2001 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 42nd conference playoff in league history and 48th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2001 tournament was played between March 9 and March 17, 2001, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, the home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild. By winning the tournament, St. Cloud State was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2001 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament. This was the inaugural year in which the Xcel Energy Center hosted the WCHA final five and it remained there until the conclusion of the 2013 tournament.
The 2002 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 43rd conference playoff in league history and 49th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2002 tournament was played between March 8 and March 16, 2002, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, the home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild. By winning the tournament, Denver was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the 2002 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 2004 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 45th conference playoff in league history and 50th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2004 tournament was played between March 12 and March 20, 2004, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Minnesota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the Western Collegiate Hockey Association's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The 2005 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 46th conference playoff in league history and 51st season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2005 tournament was played between March 11 and March 19, 2005, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Denver was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The 2007 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 48th conference playoff in league history and 53rd season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The 2007 tournament was played between March 9 and March 17, 2007, at five conference arenas and the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Minnesota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
The 1998 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 39th conference playoff in league history and 46th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The tournament was played between March 13 and March 21, 1998. First round games were played at home team campus sites while all 'Final Five' matches were held at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By winning the tournament, Wisconsin was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1998 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 1997 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 38th conference playoff in league history and 45th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The tournament was played between March 7 and March 15, 1997. First round games were played at home team campus sites while all 'Final Five' matches were held at the Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, North Dakota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1997 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 1996 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 37th conference playoff in league history and 44th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The tournament was played between March 1 and March 9, 1996. First round games were played at home team campus sites while all 'Final Five' matches were held at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By winning the tournament, Minnesota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1996 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 1995 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 36th conference playoff in league history and 43rd season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The tournament was played between March 10 and March 18, 1995. First round games were played at home team campus sites while all 'Final Five' matches were held at the Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Wisconsin was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1995 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 1990 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 31st conference playoff in league history and 38th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The tournament was played between March 1 and March 12, 1990. First round games were played at home team campus sites while all 'Final Four' matches were held at the Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Wisconsin was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1990 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 1989 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 30th conference playoff in league history and 37th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The tournament was played between February 24 and March 6, 1989. First round games were played at home team campus sites while all 'Final Four' matches were held at the Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. By winning the tournament, Northern Michigan was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1989 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 1988 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 29th conference playoff in league history and 36th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The tournament was played between February 25 and March 7, 1988. First round games were played at home team campus sites while all 'Final Four' matches were held, for the first time, at the Civic Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. This was the first year in the tournament's history that the championship game was held at a neutral site which it would continue to do henceforward (as of 2014). By winning the tournament, Wisconsin was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1988 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.
The 1987 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the 28th conference playoff in league history and 35th season where a WCHA champion was crowned. The tournament was played between February 27 and March 14, 1987. First round and semifinal games were played at home team campus sites while the championship match was held, for the final time, at the Winter Sports Center in Grand Forks, North Dakota. By winning the tournament, North Dakota was awarded the Broadmoor Trophy and received the WCHA's automatic bid to the 1987 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.