2006 WCHA 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.

2006 WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
Dates	March 10–18, 2006
Teams	10
Finals site	Xcel Energy Center St. Paul, Minnesota
Champions	North Dakota (7th title)
Winning coach	Dave Hakstol[1] (1st title)
MVP	Jordan Parise (North Dakota)
Attendance	87,579
WCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournaments ← 2005 2007 →

Format

The first round of the postseason tournament featured a best-of-three games format. All ten conference teams participated in the tournament. Teams were seeded No. 1 through No. 10 according to their final conference standing, with a tiebreaker system used to seed teams with an identical number of points accumulated. The top five seeded teams each earned home ice and hosted one of the lower seeded teams.

The winners of the first round series advanced 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 were re-seeded No. 1 through No. 5 according to the final regular season conference standings, with the top three teams automatically advancing to the semifinals.

Conference Standings

Note: GP = Games Played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; PTS = Points; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against

2005–06 Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings
	Conference								Overall
	GP	W	L	T	PTS	GF	GA		GP	W	L	T	GF	GA
#8 Minnesota†	28	20	5	3	43	107	64		41	27	9	5	169	105
Denver	28	17	8	3	37	98	78		39	21	15	3	125	110
#1 Wisconsin	28	17	8	3	37	98	60		43	30	10	3	145	79
#3 North Dakota*	28	16	12	0	32	104	76		46	29	16	1	164	109
#11 Colorado College	28	15	11	2	32	94	75		42	24	16	2	143	109
#15 St. Cloud State	28	13	13	2	28	79	62		42	22	16	4	134	99
Minnesota State-Mankato	28	12	13	3	27	93	88		39	17	18	4	126	121
Michigan Tech	28	6	16	6	18	54	113		38	7	25	6	74	149
Minnesota–Duluth	28	6	19	3	15	61	114		40	11	25	4	97	148
Alaska–Anchorage	28	4	21	3	11	51	110		36	6	27	3	68	138
Championship: North Dakota † indicates conference regular season champion * indicates conference tournament champion Final rankings: USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Top 15 Poll

Bracket

Teams are reseeded after the first round

	First round[2] March 10–12, 2006							Quarterfinal[3] March 16, 2006					Semifinals March 17, 2006					Championship March 18, 2006
	1	Minnesota	7	6	—								1	Minnesota	7
	10	Alaska-Anchorage	4	2	—			6	St. Cloud State	5			6	St. Cloud State	8*
								9	Minnesota-Duluth	1
	2	Denver	2	3	2
	9	Minnesota-Duluth	3*	2	5
	3	Wisconsin	4	1	—													6	St. Cloud State	3
	8	Michigan Tech	1	0	—													4	North Dakota	5
	4	North Dakota	2	4	3
	7	Minnesota State	3*	1	0
																		Third place
	5	Colorado College	1	3	1								3	Wisconsin	3
	6	St. Cloud State	2	2	3								4	North Dakota	4			1	Minnesota	0
																		3	Wisconsin	4

Note: * denotes overtime period(s)

Quarterfinals

(1) Minnesota vs. (10) Alaska-Anchorage

March 10[4]	Minnesota		7 – 4		Alaska-Anchorage	Mariucci Arena	Recap
Ben Gordon - 06:43 Phil Kessel - 07:17		First period			11:09 - PP - Jay Beagle
Ryan Potulny - 04:58 Ryan Potulny - 14:57 Ryan Potulny - GW - 18:31		Second period			05:51 - Brent McMann 19:14 - Ales Parez
Ben Gordon - 10:35 Ryan Stoa - EN - 19:48		Third period			05:14 - PP - Daron Underwood
Kellen Briggs ( 24 saves / 28 shots )		Goalie stats			John DeCaro ( 45 saves / 51 shots )

March 11[5]	Minnesota		6 – 2		Alaska-Anchorage	Mariucci Arena	Recap
Phil Kessel - 04:38 Blake Wheeler - PP - 07:23 Ryan Stoa - GW PP - 15:13		First period			No scoring
Ryan Stoa - 09:11		Second period			17:01 - Eric Walsky
Phil Kessel - PP - 11:08 Blake Wheeler - 18:20		Third period			15:54 - Justin Bourne
Kellen Briggs ( 18 saves / 20 shots )		Goalie stats			Nathan Lawson ( 27 saves / 31 shots ) / John DeCaro ( 18 saves / 20 shots )

Minnesota won series 2–0

(2) Denver vs. (9) Minnesota-Duluth

March 10[6]	Denver		2 – 3	OT	Minnesota-Duluth	Magness Arena	Recap
Paul Stastny - PP - 01:25		First period			15:06 - PP - Andrew Carroll
No Scoring		Second period			No scoring
Paul Stastny - PP - 04:02		Third period			02:36 - Andrew Carroll
No Scoring		First overtime period			01:25 - GW - MacGregor Sharp
Glenn Fisher ( 15 saves / 18 shots )		Goalie stats			Nate Ziegelmann ( 27 saves / 29 shots )

March 11[7]	Denver		3 – 2		Minnesota-Duluth	Magness Arena	Recap
Ryan Dingle - 14:56		First period			No scoring
Ryan Dingle - 02:16		Second period			19:31 - PP - Jason Garrison
Ryan Helgason - GW - 15:31		Third period			05:45 - Michael Gergen
Peter Mannino ( 29 saves / 31 shots )		Goalie stats			Nate Ziegelmann ( 27 saves / 30 shots )

March 12[8]	Denver		5 – 2		Minnesota-Duluth	Magness Arena	Recap
Paul Stastny - PP - 09:41		First period			No scoring
No Scoring		Second period			12:17 - PP - Tim Stapleton 13:27 - PP - Josh Meyers 13:57 - GW - Michael Gergen 16:02 - Jason Garrison
Gabe Gauthier - EA - 15:06		Third period			19:31 - EN - Andrew Carroll
Peter Mannino ( 14 saves / 18 shots ) / Glenn Fisher ( 8 saves / 8 shots )		Goalie stats			Nate Ziegelmann ( 33 saves / 35 shots )

Minnesota-Duluth won series 2–1

(3) Wisconsin vs. (8) Michigan Tech

March 10[9]	Wisconsin		4 – 1		Michigan Tech	Kohl Center	Recap
Robbie Earl - 06:03 A.J. Degenhardt - GW - 10:39 Jack Skille - PP - 16:17		First period			08:48 - Geoff Kinrade
Matthew Ford - 19:12		Second period			No scoring
No scoring		Third period			No scoring
Brian Elliott ( 21 saves / 22 shots )		Goalie stats			Michael Teslak ( 13 saves / 13 shots ) / Rob Nolan ( 29 saves / 30 shots )

March 11[10]	Wisconsin		1 – 0		Michigan Tech	Kohl Center	Recap
No Scoring		First period			No scoring
Joe Pavelski - GW PP - 06:49		Second period			No scoring
No scoring		Third period			No scoring
Brian Elliott ( 19 saves / 19 shots )		Goalie stats			Michael Teslak ( 29 saves / 30 shots )

Wisconsin won series 2–0

(4) North Dakota vs. (7) Minnesota State

March 10[11]	North Dakota		2 – 3	OT	Minnesota State	Ralph Engelstad Arena	Recap
No Scoring		First period			No scoring
Travis Zajac - PP - 05:55		Second period			06:30 - David Backes 19:31 - Travis Morin
Matt Watkins - 05:22		Third period			No scoring
No Scoring		First overtime period			05:22 - GW - Rob Rankin
Jordan Parise ( 33 saves / 36 shots )		Goalie stats			Dan Tormey ( 29 saves / 31 shots )

March 11[12]	North Dakota		4 – 1		Minnesota State	Ralph Engelstad Arena	Recap
Jonathan Toews - 12:40 T.J. Oshie - GW - 13:36		First period			No scoring
T.J. Oshie - 05:39		Second period			15:50 - PP - Kyle Peto
Travis Zajac - PP - 10:25		Third period			No scoring
Jordan Parise ( 25 saves / 26 shots )		Goalie stats			Dan Tormey ( 27 saves / 31 shots )

March 12[13]	North Dakota		3 – 0		Minnesota State	Ralph Engelstad Arena	Recap
Chris Porter - GW - 00:47 Travis Zajac - PP - 07:17		First period			No scoring
Travis Zajac - PP - 08:28		Second period			No scoring
No scoring		Third period			No scoring
Jordan Parise ( 32 saves / 32 shots )		Goalie stats			Dan Tormey ( 22 saves / 25 shots )

North Dakota won series 2–1

(5) Colorado College vs. (6) St. Cloud State

March 10[14]	Colorado College		1 – 2		St. Cloud State	Colorado Springs World Arena	Recap
Jimmy Kilpatrick - 06:10		First period			09:06 - Konrad Reeder
No Scoring		Second period			01:27 - GW SH - Michael Olson
No scoring		Third period			No scoring
Matt Zaba ( 32 saves / 34 shots )		Goalie stats			Bobby Goepfert ( 25 saves / 26 shots )

March 11[15]	Colorado College		3 – 2		St. Cloud State	Colorado Springs World Arena	Recap
No Scoring		First period			08:37 - Matt Hartman
Brian Salcido - 15:07 Brett Sterling - PP - 15:51		Second period			05:14 - PP - Aaron Brocklehurst
Brett Sterling - GW - 11:28		Third period			No scoring
Matt Zaba ( 29 saves / 31 shots )		Goalie stats			Bobby Goepfert ( 33 saves / 36 shots )

March 12[16]	Colorado College		1 – 3		St. Cloud State	Colorado Springs World Arena	Recap
No Scoring		First period			No scoring
No Scoring		Second period			07:25 - Dan Kronick
Brett Sterling - PP - 00:11		Third period			06:50 - GW - Nate Raduns 15:29 - Matt Stephenson
Matt Zaba ( 22 saves / 25 shots )		Goalie stats			Bobby Goepfert ( 31 saves / 32 shots )

St. Cloud State won series 2–1

Quarterfinal

(6) St. Cloud State vs. (9) Minnesota-Duluth

March 16[17]	St. Cloud State		5 – 1		Minnesota-Duluth	Xcel Energy Center	Recap
Billy Hengen - 00:44 Nate Dey - GW - 03:18 Brock Hooton - PP - 12:55		First period			13:56 - Tim Stapleton
No Scoring		Second period			No scoring
Andrew Gordon - 00:48 Billy Hengen - EN - 17:34		Third period			No scoring
Bobby Goepfert ( 36 saves / 37 shots )		Goalie stats			Nate Ziegelmann ( 21 saves / 25 shots )

Semifinals

(1) Minnesota vs. (6) St. Cloud State

March 17[18]	Minnesota		7 – 8	OT	St. Cloud State	Xcel Energy Center	Recap
Ben Gordon - 09:36 Alex Goligoski - 13:33		First period			10:57 - Matt Hartman 15:02 - PP - Justin Fletcher
Ryan Potunly - PP - 09:43 Ryan Potunly - 14:08 Ryan Potunly - PP - 19:59		Second period			00:58 - Andrew Gordon 03:50 - Casey Borer 05:54 - T.J. McElroy 11:40 - Brock Hooton
Danny Irmen - 17:59 Ryan Potunly - EA - 19:45		Third period			16:21 - Brock Hooton
No Scoring		First overtime period			09:14 - GW - Matt Hartman
Kellen Briggs ( 17 saves / 22 shots ) / Jeff Frazee ( 13 saves / 16 shots )		Goalie stats			Bobby Goepfert ( 44 saves / 51 shots )

(3) Wisconsin vs. (4) North Dakota

March 17[19]	Wisconsin		3 – 4		North Dakota	Xcel Energy Center	Recap
Joe Pavelski - 07:43 Andy Brandt - 11:05		First period			18:07 - Ryan Duncan 19:02 - Rylan Kaip
Robbie Earl - PP - 18:59		Second period			04:10 - Rastislav Spirko 18:24 - GW - Rylan Kaip
No scoring		Third period			No scoring
Brian Elliott ( 27 saves / 31 shots )		Goalie stats			Jordan Parise ( 27 saves / 30 shots )

Third Place

(1) Minnesota vs. (3) Wisconsin

March 18[20]	Minnesota		0 – 4		Wisconsin	Xcel Energy Center	Recap
No Scoring		First period			03:30 - GW - Andrew Joudrey
No scoring		Second period			10:07 - Jack Skille
No scoring		Third period			03:02 - PP - Ross Carlson 10:58 - Robbie Earl
Kellen Briggs ( 26 saves / 30 shots )		Goalie stats			Brian Elliott ( 26 saves / 26 shots )

Championship

(4) North Dakota vs. (6) St. Cloud State

March 18[21]	North Dakota		5 – 3		St. Cloud State	Xcel Energy Center	Recap
Rastislav Spirko - 04:00 Jonathan Toews - 04:15 T.J. Oshie - PP - 17:41		First period			03:50 - PP - Konrad Reeder
Ryan Duncan - GW - 04:58 Ryan Duncan - PP - 13:41		Second period			16:20 - PP - Brock Hooton
No scoring		Third period			05:07 - Billy Hengen
Jordan Parise ( 37 saves / 40 shots )		Goalie stats			Bobby Goepfert ( 24 saves / 29 shots )

Tournament awards

All-Tournament Team

• F Brock Hooton (St. Cloud State)
• F T. J. Oshie (North Dakota)
• F Ryan Potulny (Minnesota)
• D Kyle Klubertanz (Wisconsin)
• D Matt Smaby (North Dakota)
• G Jordan Parise* (North Dakota)

* Most Valuable Player(s)

[22]

See also

• Western Collegiate Hockey Association men's champions

References

1. "North Dakota Men's Team History". 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
2. "WCHA men's Hockey 2005-06 Week 24". USCHO.com. 2006-03-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
3. "WCHA men's Hockey 2005-06 Week 25". USCHO.com. 2006-03-18. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
4. "Minnesota 7, Alaska-Anchorage 4". USCHO.com. 2006-03-10. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
5. "Minnesota 6, Alaska-Anchorage 2". USCHO.com. 2006-03-11. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
6. "Minnesota-Duluth 3, Denver 2". USCHO.com. 2006-03-10. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
7. "Denver 3, Minnesota-Duluth 2". USCHO.com. 2006-03-11. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
8. "Minnesota-Duluth 5, Denver 2". USCHO.com. 2006-03-11. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
9. "Wisconsin 4, Michigan Tech 1". USCHO.com. 2006-03-10. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
10. "Wisconsin 1, Michigan Tech 0". USCHO.com. 2006-03-11. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
11. "Minnesota State 3, North Dakota 2". USCHO.com. 2006-03-10. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
12. "North Dakota 4, Minnesota State 1". USCHO.com. 2006-03-11. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
13. "North Dakota 3, Minnesota State 0". USCHO.com. 2006-03-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
14. "St. Cloud State 2, Colorado College 1". USCHO.com. 2006-03-10. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
15. "Colorado College 3, St. Cloud State 2". USCHO.com. 2006-03-11. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
16. "St. Cloud State 3, Colorado College 1". USCHO.com. 2006-03-12. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
17. "St. Cloud State 5, Minnesota-Duluth 1". USCHO.com. 2006-03-16. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
18. "St. Cloud State 8, Minnesota 7". USCHO.com. 2006-03-17. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
19. "North Dakota 4, Wisconsin 3". USCHO.com. 2006-03-17. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
20. "Wisconsin 4, Minnesota 0". USCHO.com. 2006-03-18. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
21. "North Dakota 5, St. Cloud State 3". USCHO.com. 2006-03-18. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
22. "2009-10 WCHA Yearbook 129-144" (PDF). WCHA. Retrieved 2014-06-01.

External links

• WCHA.com
• 2005–06 WCHA Standings
• 2005–06 NCAA Standings