The first round of the WCHA Playoffs continued Saturday with all 12 teams on the ice again. Game two for each series were played at the higher seed. Game three for half the teams in the playoffs will be played on Sunday.
#1 St. Cloud State vs. #12 Alaska-Anchorage
For the second night in a row, the Huskies dominated the last place team in the conference with a 5-1 win to move on to the WCHA Final Five.
#2 Minnesota vs. #11 Bemidji State
Bemidji State held the lead over the Gophers all the way until 8:37 in the third period, when the U of M’s A.J. Michaelson scored to tie the game at 3. The Gophers took the lead with a Ben Marshall goal at 19:07 in the third period to secure the win and a berth to the WCHA Final Five.
#3 North Dakota vs. #10 Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech’s C.J. Eick scored a goal with 2:20 left in the third period to lift the team over North Dakota 2-1, tying up the best-of-three game series at 1-1.
#4 Wisconsin vs. #9 Minnesota Duluth
The Badgers jumped out to a 3-1 lead after the first period and never looked back as they completed their series sweep over UMD with a 4-1 and trip to the WCHA Final Five.
#5 Denver vs. #8 Colorado College
Despite being out-shot by Denver 42-22, Colorado College came out on top 2-1 to tie the series at one game each.
#6 Minnesota State vs. #7 Nebraska Omaha
Nebraska Omaha’s Dominic Zombo scored at 5:21 in the third period to secure a 2-1 victory over Minnesota State and force a third game in the series.
